: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (such as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
Examples of asthma in a Sentence
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In addition, warmer seasons lengthen pollen cycles and increase pollen counts, priming lungs for more asthma episodes and more allergy attacks.
—
Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The area in proximity to the datacenter is historically Black and has disproportionately high rates of cancer and asthma.
—Michaela Rychetska, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Smoke can increase risk for asthma, lung cancer and other chronic lung problems.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
In addition, research has shown cockroach debris, such as feces and shed skins, can cause allergies and asthma in some people.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
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Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The area in proximity to the datacenter is historically Black and has disproportionately high rates of cancer and asthma.
—Michaela Rychetska, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Smoke can increase risk for asthma, lung cancer and other chronic lung problems.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
In addition, research has shown cockroach debris, such as feces and shed skins, can cause allergies and asthma in some people.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asthma
Cite this Entry
“Asthma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asthma. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
asthma
noun
asth·ma
ˈaz-mə 
: a condition that is marked by difficulty in breathing with wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing
Medical Definition
asthma
noun
asth·ma
ˈaz-mə
: a chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction (as from bronchospasm) manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction in the chest, and that is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli (as allergens or rapid change in air temperature)
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