transient ischemic attack

noun

: a brief episode of cerebral ischemia that is usually characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis, or syncope and is often predictive of a serious stroke

—abbreviation TIA

called also ministroke

Examples of transient ischemic attack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Evidence presented proved that Watsonville, Calif., resident Jesus Plasencia suffered a short transient ischemic attack (TIA) while his plane was parked at the gate at Miami International Airport on Nov. 8, 2021. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025

She was diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which happens when blood flow to the brain is temporarily blocked. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025

More than half of people who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a ministroke, report ongoing fatigue for up to a year afterwards, a new study has found. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 14 May 2025

For example, a headache could point to a transient ischemic attack or a condition like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transient ischemic attack

• aback
• anzac
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Medical Definition

transient ischemic attack

noun

: a brief episode of cerebral ischemia that is usually characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis, or syncope and that is often predictive of a serious stroke

—abbreviation TIA

called also little stroke, ministroke