spasm

American  

[spaz-uhm] / ˈspæz əm /

noun

1. Pathology. a sudden, abnormal, involuntary muscular contraction, consisting of a continued muscular contraction tonic spasm or of a series of alternating muscular contractions and relaxations clonic spasm.

2. any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.

   Synonyms:

   spurt, flash, storm, fit

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verb (used without object)

1. to undergo a spasm or spasms.

   Her eyesight had changed, and tests showed the muscles that allow the eye to focus were spasming.

spasm British  

/ ˈspæzəm /

noun

1. an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion

2. a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc

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Etymology

Origin of spasm

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spasme, spasom, from Old French (e)spasme and Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmós “convulsion,” derivative of spân “to draw (a sword), pull out, tear out, suck in, slurp down”

Explanation

A spasm is a sudden constriction of a muscle or blood vessel. This idea can be generalized to anything that occurs suddenly and lasts a short while. Except for a brief spasm of yard work, you had a perfectly lazy Sunday. The Greeks had a word called spasmós, which meant "to cramp or convulse." It also meant "to tear away or violently pull," which, if you've ever suffered a muscle spasm you know is a good definition. The word had a physical meaning up until around 1817, when it came to include the abstract. When you were invited to go hiking in the redwood forest, you could hardly control your spasms of joy. Make sure you stretch before hiking, so you don't get muscle spasms.

Example Sentences

And I'm going to say to people, 'Excuse me about my spasm?

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

A bronchial spasm sent the maestro to hospital.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

India skipper Shubman Gill went out retired hurt for four with a neck spasm and did not return to bat in the innings that ended in the second session.

From Barron's • Nov. 15, 2025

If you or someone else is experiencing heat cramps, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025

"I was asleep," cried Mr. Klipspringer, in a spasm of embarrassment.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Related Words

• contraction
• convulsion
• eruption
• outburst
• pain
• paroxysm
• seizure