ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment

Examples of ailment in a Sentence

She suffered from a chronic back ailment. The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 83-year-old singer-songwriter and former member of Grammy-winning folk duo Simon & Garfunkel announced the cancellation of two concerts in Philadelphia over the weekend due to a physical ailment. Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025 Brown only threw 55 1/3 innings in 15 games (eight starts) during 2024 because of a neck ailment that sidelined him most of the season. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 Yet Crawford was also pitching through a knee ailment for much of last season and as a result, began the current campaign on the injured list. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025 Sheets lost his glove over the wall going back on a ball last month and came away with another run-in with the wall earlier this month nursing various ailments to his head, hip, wrist and thumb. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ailment

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailment was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun
ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt How to pronounce ailment (audio)
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

More from Merriam-Webster on ailment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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