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.
Bullman added that numerous other studies demonstrated that a diverse gut microbiome had positive impacts on chronic disease and even cancer treatment. Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 27 Mar. 2025 Instead of waiting months for their next in-office visit, patients with chronic diseases would receive continuous monitoring, preventing costly and life-threatening complications. Robert Pearl, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Mental Health Screening Is Essential for Caregivers Studies estimate that 53 million Americans are providing unpaid care to their spouse, parent, other family member, or friend who has been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic disease. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Mar. 2025 The big picture: Kennedy's philosophy, built around skepticism of corporations and mainstream science and promoting chronic disease prevention, has its own vernacular. Maya Goldman, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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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