bronchospasm

noun

bron·​cho·​spasm ˈbräŋ-kə-ˌspa-zəm 

: constriction of the air passages of the lung (as in asthma) by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial muscles

bronchospastic

ˌbräŋ-kə-ˈspa-stik 

adjective

Examples of bronchospasm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pope did not have any episodes of respiratory failure or bronchospasm on Tuesday, according to the Vatican. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025

Pope Francis suffered two acute respiratory crises Monday, a complex medical situation that was less dangerous than Friday's bronchospasm, the Vatican announced. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025

On Saturday evening the Vatican said that Francis did not experience any episodes of bronchospasm — a tightening of the muscles in the small airways of the lungs — throughout the day. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 1 Mar. 2025

Pope Francis remains in stable condition with no new bronchospasm episodes after struggling with respiratory attacks last week. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025

Albuterol can also prevent bronchospasm during exercise. —Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 4 Oct. 2024

Acid reflux can trigger bronchospasm, or a tightening of the muscles that line your airways.8 Bronchospasm can worsen underlying asthma and cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Feb. 2024

When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles in the airways tighten in an event known as a bronchospasm. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2024

This can provide relief to COPD patients experiencing bronchospasms, a common symptom of the condition. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from German Bronchospasmus, from broncho- broncho- + Spasmus spasm

First Known Use

circa 1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bronchospasm

• chiasm
• germplasm
• phantasm
• sarcasm
• chasm
• plasm
• spasm
• cytoplasm
• ectoplasm
• neoplasm
• protoplasm
• vasospasm

Medical Definition

bronchospasm

noun

bron·​cho·​spasm ˈbräŋ-kə-ˌspaz-əm 

: constriction of the air passages of the lung (as in asthma) by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial muscles

bronchospastic

ˌbräŋ-kə-ˈspas-tik 

adjective