asthma

noun

asth·​ma ˈaz-mə 

 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 

 British  as-

adjective or noun

asthmatically

az-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

 British  as-

adverb

Examples of asthma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her death from a sudden and severe asthma attack was a devastating loss, especially for her two kids. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 13 May 2025

Appearing by video for her bail hearing the previous day, Ozturk, 30, detailed her worsening asthma attacks in detention and her desire to finish her doctorate focusing on children and social media. —Rodrique Ngowi, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

One study calculated that 2.5% of adults who have asthma also have ABPA, which is approximately 4.8 million people worldwide. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025

During the proceedings, and while her doctor was testifying about Ozturk's asthma diagnosis, a lawyer appearing alongside her in Louisiana said Ozturk was suffering from an asthma attack, and she was briefly excused for 10 minutes. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing asthma

• anti-asthma
• bronchial asthma

Rhymes for asthma

• plasma
• chiasma
• miasma
• histoplasma
• mycoplasma
• toxoplasma

Kids 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

asthmatic

az-ˈmat-ik 

adjective or noun

asthmatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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)