asthma

noun

: 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 adjective or noun

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.
Ashley Hernandez, a Wilmington resident and organizer with the nonprofit Communities for a Better Environment, said residents there have suffered from severe health issues including asthma, dizziness, miscarriages, heart disease and cancer. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Some people with asthma may be more sensitive, the agency said. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 AstraZeneca and Amgen recently released positive Phase 3 results for another use for their drug Tezspire, an injectable approved for nasal polyps and asthma. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Similarly, a 2024 analysis of clinical trials involving people with asthma found no significant reduction in inflammatory markers linked to allergic asthma. — Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Asthma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asthma. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a condition that is marked by difficulty in breathing with wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing

Medical Definition

: 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)

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