chronic disease

noun

plural chronic diseases

: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration

… childhood obesity that too often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

—Akiba Solomon

Most oncologists are reluctant to use the word "cure," and tend to speak of cancer as a chronic disease. The goal of treatment is remission, a state in which the cancer can't be detected.

—Sallie Tisdale

More than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.

—The Dallas Morning News

Examples of chronic disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Suffering from chronic diseases or mental illness. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 24 June 2026

During the siege, he got used to doing everything from birthing babies to setting broken bones and caring for geriatric patients and those with chronic diseases. — Janine Di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026

Older adults, children under 4, people without air conditioning and those with chronic diseases face the highest risk from warm overnight lows. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

Coffee Regular coffee consumption may support brain health and lower the risk of chronic disease and even early death, thanks in part to its rich polyphenol content. — Brian Mastroianni, Health, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chronic disease

• actuaries
• analyses
• anopheles
• antitheses
• apostrophes
• appendices
• catalyses
• distributees
• examinees
• hypotheses
• interviewees
• isosceles

Medical Definition

chronic disease

noun

: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration

Millions suffer from debilitating chronic disease caused by smoking. It is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema …

—Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical Association