atony

noun

at·​o·​ny ˈa-tə-nē How to pronounce atony (audio)
: lack of physiological tone especially of a contractile organ

Examples of atony 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.
The most common reason for postpartum hemorrhage is uterine atony, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Patia Braithwaite, SELF, 30 July 2019 Bleeding during or after childbirth: Uterine complications during or after childbirth, like when the organ doesn’t contract properly after the baby is out (this is known as uterine atony), can lead to severe hemorrhaging. Zahra Barnes, SELF, 14 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin atonia, from Greek, from atonos without tone, from a- + tonos tone

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atony was in 1693

Dictionary Entries Near atony

Cite this Entry

“Atony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atony. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

atony

noun
at·​o·​ny ˈat-ᵊn-ē How to pronounce atony (audio)
variants or atonia
plural atonies or atonias
: lack of physiological tone especially of a contractile organ
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