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

The disorientation is that, in creating a sense of claustrophobia or unease because of what’s happening, some of that may not come through on the first reading. —Andrew Webster, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2024

From an impasse that threatens to close us down, shut us in, keep us below, in a place of anxiety, claustrophobia, failure, and regret? —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

In its claustrophobia and pessimism, Beck’s book itself can be read as an artifact. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2024

The interior is finely crafted and lovely to behold, forming around you to give a sense of sportiness without claustrophobia. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 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