asthma

[ az-muh, as- ]

/ ˈæz mə, ˈæs- /

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noun

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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Also called bronchial asthma.

Origin of asthma

1350–1400; Middle English <Greek: a panting (akin to aázein to breathe hard); replacing Middle English asma<Medieval Latin <Greek ásthma

Words nearby asthma

as the crow flies, asthenia, asthenic, asthenopia, asthenosphere, asthma, asthmatic, as though, Asti, astigmatic, astigmatism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use asthma in a sentence

She hasn’t been able to get her asthma medication or her antidepressant.
‘Oh, we’re still in this.’ The pandemic wall is here.|Maura Judkis|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Celery seeds have even been used in the treatment of skin conditions including psoriasis, and respiratory diseases including asthma and bronchitis.
The Benefits Of Drinking Celery Juice|Charli Penn|February 2, 2021|Essence.com
By some estimates, depression costs the economy more than $210 billion a year and more lost workdays and impairment than arthritis, asthma, back pain or diabetes.
Coronavirus is testing those of us with anxiety. We need to have mental health help available when the pandemic ends.|Sarah Vander Schaaff|January 30, 2021|Washington Post
Cotton has a newborn baby and two older children at home, both of whom have asthma.
The Challenges Posed By COVID-19 Pushed Many Workers to Strike. Will the Labor Movement See Sustained Interest?|Abigail Abrams|January 17, 2021|Time

If allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities are your main consideration, look to an evaporator for your humidity needs.
The best humidifier: Fight dry air (and a dry nose) all winter long|PopSci Commerce Team|January 15, 2021|Popular-Science
The provocation of a severe asthma attack after a cold is a well-known and well-traveled path to serious illness.
Midwest's 'Mystery Virus' Is Scary but Not Deadly|Kent Sepkowitz|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Asthma is one of the most common diseases among children, affecting roughly one in every eleven kids.
More Germs, Less Asthma? Study Shows Babies Exposed to Bacteria and Dander at Less Risk|Brandy Zadrozny|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
(Though in keeping with the American obsession for these things May is designated as Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month).
Blame Climate Change for Your Terrible Seasonal Allergies|Kent Sepkowitz|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It can also lead to a number of other ailments, including diabetes, asthma, and even heart failure.
Research Shows Link Between NSAID Use and Gut Disease|Valerie Vande Panne|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But new research shows it is indeed real, and may be the cause of asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and more.
New Research Shows Poorly Understood “Leaky Gut Syndrome” Is Real, May Be the Cause of Several Diseases|Daniela Drake|March 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
True bronchial asthma commonly gives a marked eosinophilia during and following the paroxysms.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
About this time a patient applied for relief of attacks of asthma that were brought on by inhaling dust.
The Treatment of Hay Fever|George Frederick Laidlaw
In 1871, Neftel relieved a case of hay asthma by galvanizing the vagus; but recent books know nothing of it.
The Treatment of Hay Fever|George Frederick Laidlaw
Dr. Garrison noted also the popular belief that heaves or asthma did not exist in horses on the prairies where this plant grew.
The Treatment of Hay Fever|George Frederick Laidlaw
Caroline was in bed with a bad go of asthma, and would Violet come to see her?
Happy House|Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg

British Dictionary definitions for asthma

asthma

/ (ˈæsmə) /

noun

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

Word Origin for asthma

C14: from Greek: laborious breathing, from azein to breathe hard

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

Scientific definitions for asthma

asthma

[ ăz′mə ]

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.

Cultural definitions for asthma

asthma

[ (az-muh) ]

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.