rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryasthmaBreathing condition
noun

asthma

AZ-muh/ˈæzmə/

A chronic condition in which airways narrow, causing breathing difficulty and wheezing.

The man uses an inhaler during an asthma flare-up.

An older man struggling to breathe uses a rescue inhaler; a small, text-free anatomical cutaway beside him shows an inflamed bronchial airway with a markedly narrowed central opening.
Etymology
asthmaGreekshortness of breath, panting

Greek asthma named shortness of breath or panting. The medical term names the disorder through its characteristic experience of labored breathing and tightness in the chest.

In context

Osmosis from Elsevier4:09
symptoms of asthma include coughing, a feeling of chest tightness, dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, and wheezing
Asthma - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

More examples

  • She told the coach about her asthma.
  • The clinic monitored his asthma over several months.
  • Smoke aggravated her asthma.

Forms

asthma

asthmatic adjective — having or relating to asthma

Similar words

wheezing
A breathing sound or symptom, not a specific chronic condition.
bronchitis
A different airway condition, not interchangeable with asthma.