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

The bloom was also linked to physical health problems including respiratory irritation and asthma.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

Since shooting “Olmo” when he was 14, Uttapa has appeared in the latest season of the hit medical drama “The Pitt,” playing Grady Barnhill, who has an asthma attack, in two episodes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

GSK recently launched blood-cancer drug Blenrep and asthma treatment Exdensur, while lung-cancer medicine Jideytro—which the company bought through its acquisition of Nuvalent—received U.S. approval last month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 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

Towards the end of term he had a flare-up of asthma and wandered wheezing around the house in pajamas and bathrobe, hair standing on end, gasping theatrically at his inhaler.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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

They give an infusion of it in colds, coughs, asthmas, and consumptions.

From Traditions of the North American Indians, Vol. 3 by James Athearn Jones

The lungs, under these circumstances, do not play so freely, nor does the blood circulate so well; thus obstructions are frequently occasioned in the smaller vessels, from which arise colds, asthmas, agues, fevers, &c.

From Conversations on Natural Philosophy, in which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained by Thomas P. Jones

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

It is said to have its compensations, in that the "aches and asthmas of old age are no worse than the measles, mumps, whooping-coughs and appendicitis pains of youth."

From Wit, Humor, Reason, Rhetoric, Prose, Poetry and Story Woven into Eight Popular Lectures by George W. Bain