claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
1
: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces
2
: a feeling of discomfort or discontent caused by being in a limiting or restrictive situation or environment
While recovering in the hospital, she recognizes the claustrophobia of her working-class life, shared with a suffocatingly affectionate mother and a dud of a dad.Barbara Tritel
claustrophobe noun

Examples of claustrophobia in a Sentence

She doesn't go in elevators because of her claustrophobia. the claustrophobia of small-town life
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But the show ultimately weaponizes that claustrophobia to its benefit. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 No matter how nice Poppa’s house might be, the structure is helpful for preventing claustrophobia from setting in. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2024 Some users experience problems like motion sickness or claustrophobia, which is common with immersive technology. Edin Deljkic, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 Nobody buys the idea because their judgments are impaired by the claustrophobia of being in a room crowded with four overinflated egos. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for claustrophobia 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin claustrum + New Latin -phobia

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of claustrophobia was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near claustrophobia

Cite this Entry

“Claustrophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobia. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

claustrophobia

noun
claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
: abnormal fear of being in closed or narrow spaces
claustrophobic
-ˈfō-bik
adjective

Medical Definition

claustrophobia

noun
claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces

More from Merriam-Webster on claustrophobia

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