heartburn
noun
heart·burn
ˈhärt-ˌbərn 
plural heartburns
: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus
In any given month, about one-quarter of Americans suffer from heartburn, which is caused by reflux, or backward flow, of stomach acid into the esophagus.—
Clyde M. Burnham
Clyde M. BurnhamHeartburn—painful reflux of stomach acid—can occur in a person with a perfectly intact esophagus.—Paul G. Donohue
see acid reflux
Paul G. DonohueExamples of heartburn in a Sentence
I like spicy food, but it gives me heartburn.
Recent Examples on the Web
Coffee is more acidic than matcha, which may be irritating to the stomach or cause heartburn in some.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
In general, overconsumption of garlic can produce side effects, including garlic breath, digestive issues, bloating, stomach pains, gas and heartburn.
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2025
Musk’s actions have created heartburn for centrist Republicans facing backlash at town halls in their districts.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
That last part was essentially an unfunded mandate, causing no small amount of heartburn among Newsom and state lawmakers.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 18 Feb. 2025
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Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
In general, overconsumption of garlic can produce side effects, including garlic breath, digestive issues, bloating, stomach pains, gas and heartburn.
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2025
Musk’s actions have created heartburn for centrist Republicans facing backlash at town halls in their districts.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
That last part was essentially an unfunded mandate, causing no small amount of heartburn among Newsom and state lawmakers.
—Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartburn
Cite this Entry
“Heartburn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartburn. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heartburn
noun
heart·burn
-ˌbərn
: a burning discomfort seeming to occur in the area of the heart and usually due to spasms which pass acid from the stomach into the esophagus
Medical Definition
heartburn
noun
heart·burn
-ˌbərn
: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus
called also cardialgia, pyrosis
see acid reflux compare water brashLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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