chronic disease

noun

plural chronic diseases
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
… childhood obesity that too often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.Akiba Solomon
Most oncologists are reluctant to use the word "cure," and tend to speak of cancer as a chronic disease. The goal of treatment is remission, a state in which the cancer can't be detected.Sallie Tisdale
More than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.The Dallas Morning News

Examples of chronic disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To optimists, this property of mirror molecules could prove useful in the fight against chronic disease. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024 Besides coverage of prescription drugs, hospitalizations and outpatient care, all plans offered on the ACA exchanges must cover a wide range of services, from pregnancy and newborn care to rehabilitation to mental health to chronic disease management. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 His health issues continued in 2018 when he was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, a chronic disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis and vascular abnormalities in the skin, joints and internal organs. Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 Just one of the important agencies that HHS oversees is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which helps to prevent and control infectious and chronic diseases. A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chronic disease 

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic disease was in 1662

Dictionary Entries Near chronic disease

Cite this Entry

“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

chronic disease

noun
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
Millions suffer from debilitating chronic disease caused by smoking. It is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema …Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical Association
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