chronic disease
noun
plural chronic diseases
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
… childhood obesity that too often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.—
Akiba Solomon
Akiba SolomonMost oncologists are reluctant to use the word "cure," and tend to speak of cancer as a chronic disease. The goal of treatment is remission, a state in which the cancer can't be detected.—Sallie Tisdale
Sallie TisdaleMore than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.—The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning NewsExamples of chronic disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The uptick in chronic diseases is driven not only by an increasingly aging population, but by people’s lifestyle behaviors, according to the doctor.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
May Prevent Cancer Apricots contain antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, as well as vitamins A, C, and E, which may help protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.
—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
2 July 2026
Older adults, children under 4, people without air conditioning and those with chronic diseases face the highest risk from warm overnight lows.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
Coffee Regular coffee consumption may support brain health and lower the risk of chronic disease and even early death, thanks in part to its rich polyphenol content.
—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
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Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
May Prevent Cancer Apricots contain antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, as well as vitamins A, C, and E, which may help protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.
—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
2 July 2026
Older adults, children under 4, people without air conditioning and those with chronic diseases face the highest risk from warm overnight lows.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
Coffee Regular coffee consumption may support brain health and lower the risk of chronic disease and even early death, thanks in part to its rich polyphenol content.
—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for chronic disease
Cite this Entry
“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
chronic disease
noun
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
Millions suffer from debilitating chronic disease caused by smoking. It is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema …—Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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