hay fever

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a type of allergic rhinitis affecting the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, affecting susceptible persons usually during the summer, caused by pollen of ragweed and certain other plants.

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hay fever British  

noun

1. Technical names: allergic rhinitis, pollinosis. an allergic reaction to pollen, dust, etc, characterized by sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes due to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose

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hay fever Scientific  

/ hā /

1. An seasonal allergic condition characterized by a sensitivity to airborne pollen, resulting in nasal discharge, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. It occurs especially during late spring, late summer, and early fall and can be caused by the pollens of various plants, especially ragweed and certain trees and grasses.

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Etymology

Origin of hay fever

First recorded in 1820–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hay fever

Unfortunately for hay fever sufferers, pollen levels are likely to rise as the increasing temperatures come in the wake of wet weather.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

He told the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4 that more research is needed to see if climate change could also be increasing the amount of pollen circulating and making hay fever symptoms more severe.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

"It can mean missed days at work, poor sleep and, for some teenagers and young people, active hay fever symptoms can mean they drop an academic grade in their exams."

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

"I was full of hay fever but I was in my home studio, printing files, sending things off."

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025

If Henry had been suffering from poison ivy, hay fever, rheumatism, pinkeye, we would have been in luck but the only painkiller they had was Excedrin.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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