claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

1

: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces

2

: a feeling of discomfort or discontent caused by being in a limiting or restrictive situation or environment

While recovering in the hospital, she recognizes the claustrophobia of her working-class life, shared with a suffocatingly affectionate mother and a dud of a dad.

—Barbara Tritel

claustrophobe

ˈklȯ-strə-ˌfōb 

noun

Examples of claustrophobia in a Sentence

She doesn't go in elevators because of her claustrophobia.

the claustrophobia of small-town life

Recent Examples on the Web

But the show ultimately weaponizes that claustrophobia to its benefit. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

No matter how nice Poppa’s house might be, the structure is helpful for preventing claustrophobia from setting in. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2024

Some users experience problems like motion sickness or claustrophobia, which is common with immersive technology. —Edin Deljkic, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Nobody buys the idea because their judgments are impaired by the claustrophobia of being in a room crowded with four overinflated egos. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin claustrum + New Latin -phobia

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: abnormal fear of being in closed or narrow spaces

claustrophobic

-ˈfō-bik

adjective

Medical Definition

claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə 

: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces