sleep apnea

American  

[sleep ap-nee-uh] / ˈslip ˈæp ni ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a condition in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep due to blockage of the upper airway, causing frequent momentary or partial waking: often a result of obesity or neurological impairment and typically associated with sleepiness during the day.

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sleep apnea Scientific  

1. Apnea caused by upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with frequent awakening and often with daytime sleepiness. It occurs most often in people who are obese or who have an obstructed respiratory tract or neurological abnormalities.

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Etymology

Origin of sleep apnea

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sleep apnea

Medicare drug plans have been paying for GLP-1s for uses like diabetes, sleep apnea and liver disease.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

But, importantly, the program doesn’t cover the medication for patients who’d be eligible for a GLP-1 under existing Medicare Part D benefits—for conditions like Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and fatty liver disease.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

Until this week, Medicare only covered GLP-1 drugs for conditions like Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and stroke or heart-attack risk.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

The request was for retatrutide, and it stated that the patient experienced obstructive sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension—essentially high blood pressure in the lungs, which is no joke and can lead to heart failure.

From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2026

Millions of people worldwide live with obstructive sleep apnea, a common disorder that repeatedly interrupts breathing during sleep.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 9, 2026