sleep apnea

noun

: apnea that recurs during sleep and is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center

Examples of sleep apnea in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Testosterone therapy can worsen sleep apnea, trigger acne and stimulate benign prostatic hyperplasia or growth of existing prostate cancer. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026 Zepbound is now approved to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, while certain GLP-1 medicines have also demonstrated important kidney benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes. — Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Other potential uses—on- and off-label—include treatment for heart disease, sleep apnea, and Alzheimer’s (official studies on long-term effects are still pending). — Elyse Moody, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026 Like older Samsung watches, the Ultra 2 can monitor for sleep apnea and snoring overnight, and even measure your body fat like a smart scale. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleep apnea

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleep apnea was in 1975

Rhymes for sleep apnea

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Browse Nearby Words

sleep
sleep apnea
sleep around
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Cite this Entry

“Sleep apnea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleep%20apnea. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

sleep apnea

noun
: brief periods of recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center and is associated especially with excessive daytime sleepiness

More from Merriam-Webster on sleep apnea

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sleep apnea

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