asthma

noun

asth·​ma ˈaz-mə How to pronounce asthma (audio)
British ˈas-
: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (such as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
asthmatic
az-ˈma-tik How to pronounce asthma (audio)
British as-
adjective or noun
asthmatically
az-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce asthma (audio)
British as-
adverb

Examples of asthma in a Sentence

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.
These include people with heart disease or asthma, pregnant women, seniors over the age of 65, young children and people working outside in the heat. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Ozone can cause respiratory irritation, trigger asthma attacks, worsen lung disease, harm lung tissue and even cause premature death. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 The medical examiner’s report cited the struggle involving pepper spray, restraint, chest compressions, asthma and blunt trauma in the cause of death. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026 Removing internal combustion engines from the road directly saves lives by reducing airborne pollutants that can cause and trigger asthma and other lung diseases. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for asthma

Word History

Etymology

Middle English asma, borrowed from Medieval Latin asma, asthma, borrowed from Greek ásthma "panting, shortness of breath, asthma (as a medical condition)," of uncertain origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of asthma was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing asthma

Rhymes for asthma

See All Rhymes for asthma

Browse Nearby Words

asthenosphere
asthma
asthma herb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Asthma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asthma. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

asthma

noun
asth·​ma ˈaz-mə How to pronounce asthma (audio)
: a condition that is marked by difficulty in breathing with wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing
asthmatic
az-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce asthma (audio)
adjective or noun
asthmatically
-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce asthma (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

asthma

noun
asth·​ma ˈaz-mə How to pronounce asthma (audio)
: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)

More from Merriam-Webster on asthma

Nglish: Translation of asthma for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about asthma

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