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
Consistent physical activity like playing tennis is linked to a lower risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, some cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Laura Berrios, AJC.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Boost longevity with coffee ☕ Research shows that your daily cup (or cups) of coffee may offer several health benefits, including a lower risk of chronic disease and a longer life.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2026
Both tea and coffee provide powerful nutrients – many that overlap –that support overall health, and moderate intake of either beverage has been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The program has helped reduce the prevalence of many chronic diseases, and this could have been expected to yield up to $1 trillion in health care savings by 2030.
—Diane Cress, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
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Laura Berrios, AJC.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Boost longevity with coffee ☕ Research shows that your daily cup (or cups) of coffee may offer several health benefits, including a lower risk of chronic disease and a longer life.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2026
Both tea and coffee provide powerful nutrients – many that overlap –that support overall health, and moderate intake of either beverage has been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
The program has helped reduce the prevalence of many chronic diseases, and this could have been expected to yield up to $1 trillion in health care savings by 2030.
—Diane Cress, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 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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