mountain sickness

noun

: altitude sickness experienced by mountain climbers or by those ascending or living especially above 8000 to 10,000 feet (about 2500 to 3000 meters) elevation and caused by insufficient oxygen in the air breathed

Examples of mountain sickness in a Sentence

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.
Use this after a night of one too many cocktails, or simply add to your in-flight water to prevent dehydration or mountain sickness. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 4 July 2024 By Martin Enserink, Science Photography by Tom Bouyer, Expedition 5300 Journalist Martin Enserink journeyed high into the Andes to write about research into the effects of chronic mountain sickness — traveling, effectively, into thin air. Stat Staff, STAT, 24 Dec. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mountain sickness was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near mountain sickness

Cite this Entry

“Mountain sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountain%20sickness. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

mountain sickness

noun
: altitude sickness experienced especially above 8000 to 10,000 feet (about 2500 to 3000 meters) and caused by insufficient oxygen in the air

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