heartburn

noun

heart·​burn ˈhärt-ˌbərn 

plural heartburns

: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus

In any given month, about one-quarter of Americans suffer from heartburn, which is caused by reflux, or backward flow, of stomach acid into the esophagus.

—Clyde M. Burnham

Heartburn—painful reflux of stomach acid—can occur in a person with a perfectly intact esophagus.

—Paul G. Donohue

see acid reflux

Examples of heartburn in a Sentence

I like spicy food, but it gives me heartburn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Summary Regarding managing digestive discomfort, Maalox and Mylanta are over-the-counter options that offer relief from symptoms like heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. —Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2024

Ingesting an array of things before a urine screen—heartburn medicine like Zantac, ADHD medication, food with poppy seeds like salads and muffins—can lead to false positive results. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 9 Sep. 2024

For starters, research estimates that two-thirds of Americans deal with GI symptoms like bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2024

Peptic ulcers are open sores on the inside of the stomach, while acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acid moves up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation known as heartburn. —Laura Schober, Health, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heartburn

noun

heart·​burn -ˌbərn 

: a burning discomfort seeming to occur in the area of the heart and usually due to spasms which pass acid from the stomach into the esophagus

Medical Definition

heartburn

noun

heart·​burn -ˌbərn 

: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus

called also cardialgia, pyrosis

see acid reflux compare water brash