asthma
n. uncountablen. a medical condition that makes it hard to breathe. It often causes a tight feeling in your chest and makes you cough or wheeze.
n. a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, characterised by reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm. Often associated with allergic reactions or other forms of hypersensitivity.
He uses an inhaler to manage his asthma.
The cold winter air often triggers her asthma, making it difficult for her to exercise outdoors without a scarf.
While childhood asthma sometimes resolves during adolescence, many patients require lifelong management to prevent acute exacerbations triggered by environmental pollutants or physical exertion.
From Middle English asma, asme, from Medieval Latin asthma, asma, from Ancient Greek ἆσθμα (âsthma, “laborious breathing, asthma”). The spelling was changed to add -th- in the 16th century to match the Greek etymological roots.
Usually uncountable; when used in the plural ('asthmas'), it refers to different clinical types or classifications of the condition.