dysphagia

American  

[dis-fey-juh, -jee-uh] / dɪsˈfeɪ dʒə, -dʒi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. difficulty in swallowing.

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dysphagia British  

/ dɪsˈfeɪdʒɪə, dɪsˈfædʒɪk /

noun

1. difficulty in swallowing, caused by obstruction or spasm of the oesophagus

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dysphagia Scientific  

/ dĭs-fā′jə /

1. Difficulty in swallowing.

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Other Word Forms

• dysphagic adjective

Etymology

Origin of dysphagia

First recorded in 1775–85; from New Latin, from Greek dys- dys- + phag(eîn) “to eat, devour” + -ia -ia

Compare meaning

How does dysphagia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dysphagia vs. dysphasia

Example Sentences

Catherine would also undergo dysphagia therapy: exercises to help her eat and drink on her own.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2023

He had severe acid reflux and a swallowing condition called dysphagia that caused milk to go down his windpipe instead of his esophagus, making him choke.

From Washington Times • Feb. 16, 2020

The cause was post-polio syndrome and chronic dysphagia, a difficulty in swallowing, said a daughter, Sarah Holt.

From Washington Post • Feb. 3, 2019

Confabulation, ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, hemiparesis: the mesmerizing names of neurological conditions mask cruelties.

From Nature • Jul. 17, 2018

Dysphagia is the medical term for not being able to swallow, and I know that there are two kinds of dysphagia: oropharyngeal and esophageal.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan