heartburn

noun

heart·​burn ˈhärt-ˌbərn 

plural heartburns

: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus

In any given month, about one-quarter of Americans suffer from heartburn, which is caused by reflux, or backward flow, of stomach acid into the esophagus.

—Clyde M. Burnham

Heartburn—painful reflux of stomach acid—can occur in a person with a perfectly intact esophagus.

—Paul G. Donohue

see acid reflux

Examples of heartburn in a Sentence

I like spicy food, but it gives me heartburn.

Recent Examples on the Web

They were held in foster care for 11 days, until a confirmation test proved that the culprit was a heartburn medication the hospital had given the patient. —Shoshana Walter, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

This combination forms a barrier that protects the stomach lining from irritants, potentially reducing inflammation and heartburn. —Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

That can cause bloating, heartburn, and gas.15 Other Home Remedies for Colds Other popular ways to try to soothe your cold include: Gargling with salt water: Salt water soothes a sore throat and may prevent pathogens from entering the body. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

But her history of remarks that are unusually sympathetic to Russia could cause heartburn, especially to Republicans with a more traditional, hawkish view of foreign policy. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heartburn

noun

heart·​burn -ˌbərn 

: a burning discomfort seeming to occur in the area of the heart and usually due to spasms which pass acid from the stomach into the esophagus

Medical Definition

heartburn

noun

heart·​burn -ˌbərn 

: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus

called also cardialgia, pyrosis

see acid reflux compare water brash