chronic disease

noun

plural chronic diseases
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
… childhood obesity that too often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.Akiba Solomon
Most oncologists are reluctant to use the word "cure," and tend to speak of cancer as a chronic disease. The goal of treatment is remission, a state in which the cancer can't be detected.Sallie Tisdale
More than 2,200 local doctors had voluntarily provided free care to uninsured patients, including surgery, chemotherapy and chronic disease management.The Dallas Morning News

Examples of chronic disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Schwartz noted that anti-vaccine advocates often allege — without credible evidence — links between vaccines and increases in chronic disease rates, suggesting that a focus on vaccines is just below the surface of Kennedy’s current messaging. Meg Tirrell, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 Over time, this effect can allow the immune system to function more effectively and focus on defending the body against inflammation, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 19 Oct. 2024 In a capitated payment model, doctors and hospitals are motivated to prioritize chronic disease management, benefiting both themselves and their patients. Robert Pearl, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 These plans focus on people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid or have chronic diseases (C-SNPs) or are home or institution bound (I-SNP). Sachin H. Jain, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chronic disease 

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chronic disease was in 1662

Dictionary Entries Near chronic disease

Cite this Entry

“Chronic disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chronic%20disease. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

chronic disease

noun
: a disease (such as asthma, coronary heart disease, or diabetes) that continues or occurs again and again for a long time : a medical condition of prolonged duration
Millions suffer from debilitating chronic disease caused by smoking. It is a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema …Phil Gunby, The Journal of the American Medical Association
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