health

noun

ˈhelth 

 also  ˈheltth

often attributive

1

a

: the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit

She is the picture of health.

especially : freedom from physical disease or pain

nursed them back to health

b

: the general condition of the body

How is your mother's health?

in poor health

enjoys good health

2

a

: a condition in which someone or something is thriving or doing well : well-being

defending the health of the beloved oceans

—Peter Wilkinson

b

: general condition or state

poor economic health

3

: a toast to someone's health or prosperity

Synonyms

• fitness
• healthiness
• heartiness
• robustness
• sap
• soundness
• verdure
• wellness
• wholeness
• wholesomeness

Examples of health in a Sentence

We nursed him back to health.

He's in good health these days.

He has continued to enjoy good health in his old age.

Smoking is bad for your health.

He is concerned about his sister's mental health.

We must protect the health of our oceans.

The economy is in a period of robust financial health.

Investors are worried about the company's health.

Recent Examples on the Web

Local health officials are working to reach everyone who may have had contact with the infected individual, and they are expected to do so in this case, said Preston Merchant, a spokesman for the San Mateo County health department. —Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024

Since 2013, Hoskin has been transplanting armoured mist frogs from the surviving population into new, similarly sunny habitats and closely monitoring the health of these new colonies. —Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024

Williams underwent a health screening for respiratory problems, but was sent back to work, the lawsuit said. —Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024

This increase is mainly due to the sales of health and beauty products and online platform services. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English helthe, from Old English hǣlth, from hāl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing health

• bill of health
• drank to their health
• give (someone or something) a clean bill of health
• health care
• health club
• health farm
• health food
• health insurance
• health maintenance organization
• health spa
• health span
• in rude health
• mental health
• mental health day
• public health
• the picture of health

Kids Definition

health

noun

ˈhelth 

1

a

: the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit

especially : freedom from disease

b

: the overall condition of the body

in poor health

2

: flourishing condition

3

: a toast to someone's health or success

drink a health

Etymology

Old English hǣlth "health," from hāl "healthy" — related to hale entry 1

Medical Definition

health

noun

ˈhelth 

often attributive

1

: the condition of an organism or one of its parts in which it performs its vital functions normally or properly : the state of being sound in body or mind

dental health

mental health

especially : freedom from physical disease and pain

nursed him back to health

compare disease

2

: the condition of an organism with respect to the performance of its vital functions especially as evaluated subjectively or nonprofessionally

how is your health today