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
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.
In fact, on February 13th, the day Kennedy was confirmed, President Trump issued an executive order establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission to address rising rates of chronic diseases and declining life expectancies. Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025 Ultimately, Prato said, no pharmaceutical drug is going to solve the chronic disease epidemic. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025 Kennedy will set up a 'MAHA' commission to address chronic disease. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025 Kennedy holds broadly appealing views on combatting corruption and helping Americans overcome chronic disease. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025 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 23 Feb. 2025.

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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