spasm

American  

[spaz-uhm] / ˈspæz əm /

noun

• spasms
  plural

1. Pathology. a sudden, abnormal, involuntary muscular contraction, consisting of a continued muscular contraction tonic spasm or of a series of alternating muscular contractions and relaxations clonic spasm.

2. any sudden, brief spell of great energy, activity, feeling, etc.

   Synonyms:

   spurt, flash, storm, fit

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verb (used without object)

1. to undergo a spasm or spasms.

   Her eyesight had changed, and tests showed the muscles that allow the eye to focus were spasming.

spasm British  

/ ˈspæzəm /

noun

1. an involuntary muscular contraction, esp one resulting in cramp or convulsion

2. a sudden burst of activity, emotion, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• spasms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of spasm

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spasme, spasom, from Old French (e)spasme and Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmós “convulsion,” derivative of spân “to draw (a sword), pull out, tear out, suck in, slurp down”

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Explanation

A spasm is a sudden constriction of a muscle or blood vessel. This idea can be generalized to anything that occurs suddenly and lasts a short while. Except for a brief spasm of yard work, you had a perfectly lazy Sunday. The Greeks had a word called spasmós, which meant "to cramp or convulse." It also meant "to tear away or violently pull," which, if you've ever suffered a muscle spasm you know is a good definition. The word had a physical meaning up until around 1817, when it came to include the abstract. When you were invited to go hiking in the redwood forest, you could hardly control your spasms of joy. Make sure you stretch before hiking, so you don't get muscle spasms.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spasm spasms

While my vocal cords spasm apart, his spasm together; while my voice gets soft and whispery, his voice is tight and gravelly.

From Slate ● Apr. 18, 2026

And amid a spasm of bricks-and-mortar bankruptcies driven in part by e-commerce, retail employment fell by a quarter-million between 2017 and late 2019.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026

"The decision will be taken tomorrow evening because the physios, doctors will have to take a call that even if he is fully recovered he should not get the spasm again during the game."

From Barron's ● Nov. 20, 2025

If you or someone else is experiencing heat cramps, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025

Though seriously ill with an intestinal disorder that would eventually prove fatal, Jefferson summoned up the energy for one final spasm of eloquence.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

The “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” singer has experienced broken ribs because of the spasms, she told Hoda Kotb on “Today” in 2024 while promoting the documentary.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

If their CTmax is exceeded, insects succumb to desiccation, muscle spasms and eventual stupor.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but can include limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, sensory issues and cognitive problems.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

The Dodgers edged the Minnesota Twins but lost Kyle Tucker to back spasms and Dalton Rushing to a possible concussion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

I can see Dessie now, her gold pince-nez wabbling on a nose not properly bridged for pince-nez, her eyes streaming with hilarious tears, and her whole front constricted with muscular spasms of laughter.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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Related Words

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