asthma

American  

[az-muh, as-] / ˈæz mə, ˈæs- /

noun

• asthmas
  plural

1. Pathology. a paroxysmal, often allergic disorder of respiration, characterized by bronchospasm, wheezing, and difficulty in expiration, often accompanied by coughing and a feeling of constriction in the chest.

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asthma British  

/ ˈæsmə /

noun

1. a respiratory disorder, often of allergic origin, characterized by difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and a sense of constriction in the chest

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asthma Scientific  

/ ăz′mə /

1. A common inflammatory disease of the lungs characterized by episodic airway obstruction caused by extensive narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles. The narrowing is caused by spasm of smooth muscle, edema of the mucosa, and the presence of mucus in the airway resulting from an immunologic reaction that can be induced by allergies, irritants, infection, stress, and other factors in a genetically predisposed individual. Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

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asthma Cultural  

1. A chronic disease of the respiratory system, characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of difficult breathing, wheezing, and coughing. During an attack, the bronchial tubes go into spasms, becoming narrower and less able to move air into the lungs. Various substances to which the sufferer has an allergy, such as animal hair, dust, pollen, or certain foods, can trigger an attack.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• asthmas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of asthma

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Greek: “a panting,” akin to aázein “to breathe hard”; replacing Middle English asma, from Medieval Latin, from Greek ásthma

Explanation

Asthma is a respiratory condition that involves allergies and your lungs: people with asthma have trouble breathing at times. Asthma is a very common disorder that makes breathing difficult. An allergic reaction, too much exercise, or just being stressed out can bring on an asthma attack. When someone has an asthma attack, it's very hard for them to get a good breath of air. Fortunately, asthma is not usually a life-threatening disease, and people who are asthmatic are fine most of the time.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

asthma asthmas

Long-term exposure has been linked to asthma and, in laboratory studies on animals, reproductive issues and birth defects.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

When heat and sunlight react with airborne emissions from wildfires, vehicles and industry, they create ground-level ozone pollution, which can damage lung tissue, cause breathing problems, trigger asthma attacks and lead to other health issues.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

She is particularly worried about QACs, some of which have been linked to skin irritation and asthma in people, while animal studies have raised concerns about fertility and fetal development.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

People with asthma and other respiratory conditions face serious health risks under reduced and overworked health services.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

“I’ll go change,” I said through the mask, which made my voice sound like I had a bad case of asthma.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

The EPA said that both times, the state recorded high levels of particulate matter, which can cause heart attacks, asthmas and chronic health conditions.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2023

The Leaves and Flowers.—A tea made of the fresh tops of thyme is good in asthmas and diseases of the lungs.

From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by William Salisbury

Used with success in spasmodic asthmas and coughs, hysterics, pertussis, epilepsy, dropsy, scurvy, chronic rheumatism, erradic and spasmodic pains, parturition, amenorrhœa, worms, etc.—Op. cit.,

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Edward Pollock Anshutz

The Leaves.—They have a subtile subacrid taste, and are recommended as vulneraries, and in asthmas and hectic fevers, and such disorders as are occasioned by drinking cold liquors when the body has been much heated.

From The Botanist's Companion, Volume II by William Salisbury

The student soon learned the physiognomy of disease by going about with his master; fevers, pleurisies, asthmas, dropsies, fluxes, small-pox, sore-throats, measles, consumptions.

From Medical Essays, 1842-1882 by Oliver Wendell Holmes