heartburn
noun
heart·burn
ˈhärt-ˌbərn 
plural heartburns
: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus
In any given month, about one-quarter of Americans suffer from heartburn, which is caused by reflux, or backward flow, of stomach acid into the esophagus.—
Clyde M. Burnham
Clyde M. BurnhamHeartburn—painful reflux of stomach acid—can occur in a person with a perfectly intact esophagus.—Paul G. Donohue
see acid reflux
Paul G. DonohueExamples of heartburn in a Sentence
I like spicy food, but it gives me heartburn.
Recent Examples on the Web
Similar to other GLP-1s, the most common side effects of Foundayo are gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, headache, swollen belly, fatigue, belching, heartburn, gas and hair loss.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
According to Eli Lilly, based on clinical studies, the side effects of the Foundayo pill include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach or abdominal pain, headache, swollen belly, tiredness, belching, heartburn, gas, and hair loss.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
For instance, Protonix for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease is available for $200 on TrumpRx.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
That's because these conditions often produce a burning sensation (heartburn) in the upper abdomen or chest.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartburn
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Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
According to Eli Lilly, based on clinical studies, the side effects of the Foundayo pill include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, stomach or abdominal pain, headache, swollen belly, tiredness, belching, heartburn, gas, and hair loss.
—Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
For instance, Protonix for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease is available for $200 on TrumpRx.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026
That's because these conditions often produce a burning sensation (heartburn) in the upper abdomen or chest.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartburn
Cite this Entry
“Heartburn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartburn. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heartburn
noun
heart·burn
-ˌbərn
: a burning discomfort seeming to occur in the area of the heart and usually due to spasms which pass acid from the stomach into the esophagus
Medical Definition
heartburn
noun
heart·burn
-ˌbərn
: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus
called also cardialgia, pyrosis
see acid reflux compare water brashLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
