: 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)
Examples of asthma in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Doctors first mistakenly diagnosed her with asthma and then anxiety.
—
Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 22 July 2025
The agency’s research shows that people living in food-insecure households are more likely to develop hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Renuka Rayasam, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
Detainees with diabetes, HIV, asthma, kidney conditions and chronic pain reported being denied essential medications and doctor visits.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
While not classified among the FDA's nine major allergens, sulfites can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals and may provoke asthma attacks in up to 10 percent of people with asthma.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
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Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 22 July 2025
The agency’s research shows that people living in food-insecure households are more likely to develop hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Renuka Rayasam, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
Detainees with diabetes, HIV, asthma, kidney conditions and chronic pain reported being denied essential medications and doctor visits.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
While not classified among the FDA's nine major allergens, sulfites can trigger severe reactions in sensitive individuals and may provoke asthma attacks in up to 10 percent of people with asthma.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for asthma
Cite this Entry
“Asthma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asthma. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
asthma
noun
asth·ma
ˈaz-mə 
: a condition that is marked by difficulty in breathing with wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing
Medical Definition
asthma
noun
asth·ma
ˈaz-mə
: 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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