sleep apnea

noun

: apnea that recurs during sleep and is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center

Examples of sleep apnea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to diabetes, heart disease, depression, and anxiety. — Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 27 Sep. 2026

Untreated sleep apnea can raise the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Untreated sleep apnea can raise the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Pauses in breathing, gasping or daytime fatigue point to sleep apnea and require professional medical evaluation. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sleep apnea

• hypercapnia

Medical Definition

sleep apnea

noun

: brief periods of recurrent cessation of breathing during sleep that is caused especially by obstruction of the airway or a disturbance in the brain's respiratory center and is associated especially with excessive daytime sleepiness