spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation

a spasm of creativity

spasms of pain

spasm intransitive verb

Synonyms

• charley horse
• cramp
• crick
• kink

Examples of spasm in a Sentence

a disease that causes muscle spasms

He was racked with coughing spasms.

She was suffering spasms of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

LaVine is day to day with back spasms, which held him out of Monday’s win in Toronto. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025

The Indian pacer experienced a back spasm during the Sydney test against Australia and did not bowl during the final match. —Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

In the three games Antetokounmpo has played since returning from illness and back spasms, the Bucks’ MVP candidate has not looked like himself, either. —Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025

And after Jalen Suggs exited in the first half Friday at Toronto due to back spasms, Anthony played 34 minutes, matched a career-high 11 assists and scored 7 of his 9 points in the fourth quarter. —Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: a sudden uncontrolled contracting of muscles

back spasms

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst

a spasm of creativity

spasm verb

Medical Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers

2

: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms

the renal artery went into spasm