sleep apnea

noun

: apnea that recurs during sleep and is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center

Examples of sleep apnea 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.
Other research has also shown their promise in treating kidney failure, fatty liver disease, Alzheimer’s disease and obstructive sleep apnea. Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024 People who have sleep apnea and other sleep disorders have higher blood pressure and higher pressure in the pulmonary artery. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Oct. 2024 Helene’s destruction created a major problem for people dependent on insulin, power wheelchairs, oxygen CPAP machines for sleep apnea, or home dialysis equipment. Kim Dinan, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 In the meantime, the results provide new evidence that clinicians and patients, when making decisions about testing for sleep apnea and treating it, should consider the possibility that untreated sleep apnea causes or exacerbates dementia. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sleep apnea 

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleep apnea was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near sleep apnea

Cite this Entry

“Sleep apnea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleep%20apnea. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

sleep apnea

noun
: brief periods of recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center and is associated especially with excessive daytime sleepiness

More from Merriam-Webster on sleep apnea

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!