1
: transient cessation of respiration
especially
: sleep apnea
2
Examples of apnea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On Tuesday, Apple announced that its latest Apple Watch 10 can also alert users to sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep.
—
Samantha Delouya, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
For these people, treating the apnea might solve the pee problem.
—Tara Parker-Pope, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
Speaking up would be self-respecting and could encourage the apnea sufferer to commit to seeking help.
—Lisa Strauss, Washington Post, 5 July 2024
According to the agency, many babies with whooping cough don't cough at all, but instead develop apnea, or life-threatening pauses in breathing.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for apnea 
Samantha Delouya, CNN, 10 Sep. 2024
For these people, treating the apnea might solve the pee problem.
—Tara Parker-Pope, Washington Post, 11 July 2024
Speaking up would be self-respecting and could encourage the apnea sufferer to commit to seeking help.
—Lisa Strauss, Washington Post, 5 July 2024
According to the agency, many babies with whooping cough don't cough at all, but instead develop apnea, or life-threatening pauses in breathing.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for apnea
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apnea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near apnea
Cite this Entry
“Apnea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apnea. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
apnea
noun
ap·nea
1
: transient cessation of respiration whether normal (as in hibernating animals) or abnormal (as that caused by certain drugs) see sleep apnea
2
: asphyxia
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