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
Akiba SolomonMost 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
Sallie TisdaleMore than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.—The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning NewsExamples of chronic disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The majority of American adults have at least one chronic disease, such as hypertension or diabetes.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Additionally, chia seeds reduce inflammation, another driver of chronic disease.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Franciscan offers produce program in Munster Registration will be taken until April 20 for the Franciscan Health Produce Prescription Program in Munster, which aims to assist with chronic disease management.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Caezilia Loibl, chair of the Consumer Sciences Program at Ohio State University, has researched the financial toll of chronic disease and the loss of a spouse at an older age.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
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Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
Additionally, chia seeds reduce inflammation, another driver of chronic disease.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Franciscan offers produce program in Munster Registration will be taken until April 20 for the Franciscan Health Produce Prescription Program in Munster, which aims to assist with chronic disease management.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Caezilia Loibl, chair of the Consumer Sciences Program at Ohio State University, has researched the financial toll of chronic disease and the loss of a spouse at an older age.
—Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
Cite this Entry
“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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