ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt 

1

: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

a stomach ailment

2

: unrest, uneasiness

an emotional ailment

Synonyms

• disease
• illness
• ill
• condition
• fever
• sickness

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

In Eastern medicine, the fruit, seeds and tree leaves are used to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs and inflammation. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025

Meanwhile, the Thunder’s ailment in this one was turnovers. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025

Though the Padres have not disclosed their findings regarding the origin of the injury, Shildt has said King’s ailment is relatively unprecedented among major-league players. —Dennis Lin, New York Times, 19 June 2025

Only 6% of respondents blamed environmental toxins - which Kennedy has blamed a host of ailments on - as a reason for chronic diseases. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ailment

• bailment
• curtailment
• derailment
• entailment

Kids Definition

ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt 

: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt 

: a bodily disorder or chronic disease