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

Less than two years in, she started having daily asthma attacks, as well as headaches, dizziness, and rashes while her walls were sweating and windows were fogging up because of the humidity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

Both short and long sleep were linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

According to her father, Charles Dunn, Knowings died Tuesday in Long Beach after she suffered a severe asthma attack on Aug. 7 and went into cardiac arrest.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026

But the American people will suffer greatly as a result of these illegal actions, in the form of additional premature deaths, asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and other serious health consequences.

From Slate ● Aug. 2, 2026

Alba would come running to embrace her with consoling whispers, since they both knew from long experience that the only cure for asthma is the prolonged embrace of a loved one.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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

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

A great many contracted asthmas and other diseases of the lungs, by inhaling steam.

From The Monikins by James Fenimore Cooper

Colds occasioned by these means often bring on asthmas and incurable consumptions.

From The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families by Mary Eaton

We have our rheumatisms, gouts, asthmas, neuralgias, colds and coughs, fevers and other ills.

From The Ivory Gate, a new edition by Sir Walter Besant