spasm

noun

ˈspa-zəm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation

a spasm of creativity

spasms of pain

spasm intransitive verb

Synonyms

• charley horse
• cramp
• crick
• kink

Examples of spasm in a Sentence

a disease that causes muscle spasms

He was racked with coughing spasms.

She was suffering spasms of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

An expert-confounding neurological disorder, SPS starts with muscle spasms and escalates over time to crippling full-body attacks. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 June 2024

These include dizziness, fainting, nausea and muscle spasms. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 18 June 2024

Signs of whooping cough include: Frequent, alarming coughing spasms Tongue sticking out Bulging eyes Face discoloration Preventing whooping cough Make sure your baby has been immunized. —Evan Forster, Parents, 17 June 2024

In Dion's case, the five-time Grammy winner grappled with muscle spasms in her throat and feet. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 16 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spasme, from Anglo-French espasme, from Latin spasmus, from Greek spasmos, from span to draw, pull

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: a sudden uncontrolled contracting of muscles

back spasms

2

: a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or outburst

a spasm of creativity

spasm verb

Medical Definition

spasm

noun

ˈspaz-əm 

1

: an involuntary and abnormal contraction of muscle or muscle fibers or of a hollow organ (as an artery, the colon, or the esophagus) that consists largely of involuntary muscle fibers

2

: the state or condition of a muscle or organ affected with spasms

the renal artery went into spasm