spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation

a spasm of creativity

spasms of pain

spasm intransitive verb

Synonyms

• charley horse
• cramp
• crick
• kink

Examples of spasm in a Sentence

a disease that causes muscle spasms

He was racked with coughing spasms.

She was suffering spasms of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Toxic substances which may be produced by the harmful algal bloom can lead to headaches, weakness, shortness of breath, muscle spasms and gastrointestinal illnesses. —Lena Miano, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024

The intermittent pain, called renal colic, is caused by spasms as the walls of the renal pelvis are stretched.5 The pain may be dull, like a back strain, or intense, like a kidney punch. —Jay N. Yepuri, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

But amid a national spasm of grief, neither Netanyahu nor Hamas gave the slightest public hint that any movement was in the offing. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024

The rare, incurable condition caused Dion to suffer from excruciating muscle spasms, and difficulty walking and breathing for years before she was diagnosed with SPS. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: a sudden uncontrolled contracting of muscles

back spasms

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst

a spasm of creativity

spasm verb

Medical Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers

2

: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms

the renal artery went into spasm