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

Example Sentences

Hay fever can make lung conditions such as asthma worse, causing wheezing and breathing difficulties which can lead to hospitalisation.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2024

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, afflicts an estimated 50 million Americans annually, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2023

Hay fever so closely hewed to class lines, in fact, it was seen as a mark of civilization and refinement.

From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2016

Hay fever, an allergy to pollen, sounds like an ancient, rural name for a long-established malady.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2014

Hay fever and la grippe were not popular a hundred years ago.

From A Republic Without a President and Other Stories by Ward, Herbert D. (Herbert Dickinson)