health

American  

[helth] / hɛlθ /

noun

1. the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor.

   good health;

   poor health.

2. soundness of body or mind; freedom from disease or ailment.

   to have one's health;

   to lose one's health.

   Synonyms:

   stamina, fitness, strength, vitality, vigor

3. a polite or complimentary wish for a person's health, happiness, etc., especially as a toast.

   We drank a health to our guest of honor.

4. vigor; vitality.

   economic health.

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health British  

/ hɛlθ /

noun

1. the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease

2. the general condition of body and mind

   in poor health

3. the condition of any unit, society, etc

   the economic health of a nation

4. a toast to a person, wishing him or her good health, happiness, etc

5. (modifier) of or relating to food or other goods reputed to be beneficial to the health

   health food

   a health store

6. (modifier) of or relating to health, esp to the administration of health

   a health committee

   health resort

   health service

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interjection

1. an exclamation wishing someone good health as part of a toast (in the phrases your health, good health, etc)

health Idioms  

1. see clean bill of health.

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Other Word Forms

• healthward adjective
• subhealth noun

Etymology

Origin of health

First recorded before 1000; Middle English helthe, Old English hǣlth; hale ¹, whole, -th ¹

Example Sentences

There has been frequent private speculation about the state of Biya's health, but openly discussing it is taboo and he has always defied rumours of his death by appearing in public after long absences.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The nonprofit health insurer provides Medi-Cal for 24 northern counties, including Colusa and Modoc.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

In the white-hot AI race, a model that can help us navigate that medical complexity—and make sense of our growing pile of health data—could gain an edge.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

They avoid hospitals, often at the expense of their own family’s health.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

The health center was where you went for everything from a little cough to getting mauled by a bear.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

• energy
• fitness
• strength
• well-being