ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt 

1

: a bodily disorder or chronic disease

a stomach ailment

2

: unrest, uneasiness

an emotional ailment

Synonyms

• affection
• ail
• bug
• complaint
• complication
• condition
• disease
• disorder
• distemper
• distemperature
• fever
• ill
• illness
• infirmity
• malady
• sickness
• trouble

Examples of ailment in a Sentence

She suffered from a chronic back ailment.

The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.

Recent Examples on the Web

About 50% of colonies and millions of bees die each year from a variety of ailments, devastating numbers for beekeepers. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The Pentagon is using the funding to study arthritis, cancer and chronic fatigue — all ailments that affect women in the military. —Eva Pound, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024

His list of ailments and surgeries are about the only thing that can rival the list of his accomplishments in the game. —C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024

Stomach pain or tummy troubles are among the most common ailments that affect children and adults alike. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ail entry 1 + -ment

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈāl-mənt 

: a bodily disorder : sickness

Medical Definition

ailment

noun

ail·​ment ˈā(ə)l-mənt 

: a bodily disorder or chronic disease