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altitude sickness
noun
: the effects (such as headache, nausea, or swelling of the brain) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes having reduced atmospheric pressure see mountain sickness
Examples of altitude sickness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All in all, this is elevated cuisine without the altitude sickness.
—Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2024
Their oxygen supply dwindled, producing a syndrome resembling altitude sickness, due to a miscalculation about photosynthesis.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
The buildup can lead to altitude sickness—the headaches, nausea, fatigue, and sleep disturbances that Kong and some of his colleagues experienced firsthand during their time in Tibet.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024
Mountain climbing: medium risk Mountain climbing poses several risks during pregnancy—first there’s the fall risk, but also the altitude sickness risk.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1901, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of altitude sickness was
in 1901
Dictionary Entries Near altitude sickness
Cite this Entry
“Altitude sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altitude%20sickness. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
altitude sickness
noun
al·ti·tude sickness
ˌal-tə-ˌt(y)üd-
: the effects (as nosebleed, nausea, headache, or cerebral edema) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes with reduced atmospheric pressure
More from Merriam-Webster on altitude sickness
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for altitude sickness
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about altitude sickness
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