chronic disease

noun

plural chronic diseases

: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration

… childhood obesity that too often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

—Akiba Solomon

Most oncologists are reluctant to use the word "cure," and tend to speak of cancer as a chronic disease. The goal of treatment is remission, a state in which the cancer can't be detected.

—Sallie Tisdale

More than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.

—The Dallas Morning News

Examples of chronic disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, obesity is seen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a chronic disease, not a symbol of excess. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Many are able to manage the chronic disease of obesity and its related co-morbidities for the first time in their lives. —Jeremy Cooney, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024

Six out of every ten U.S. adults have at least one chronic disease, according to the CDC. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024

This could be a baby born prematurely, patients with cancer or chronic diseases, patients in need of an organ transplant or others. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

chronic disease

noun

: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration

Millions suffer from debilitating chronic disease caused by smoking. It is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema …

—Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical Association