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aerophagia

American  
[air-uh-fey-juh, -jee-uh] / ˌɛər əˈfeɪ dʒə, -dʒi ə /

noun

Psychiatry.

  1. swallowing of air, sometimes due to nervousness or anxiety.

aerophagia British  
/ ˌɛərəˈfeɪdʒɪə, -dʒə, ɛəˈrɒfədzɪ /

noun

  1. spasmodic swallowing of air, a habit that can lead to belching and stomach pain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • aerophagist noun

Etymology

Origin of aerophagia

First recorded in 1900–05; aero- + -phagia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With regard to the first of these problems, there is a condition that involves swallowing excessive amounts of air during and between meals, known as aerophagia.

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2024

Less commonly, intestinal gas can result from aerophagia, or swallowing air.

From US News • Jun. 3, 2014

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.