sleep apnea

noun

See under apnea.

Origin of sleep apnea

First recorded in 1975–80

Words nearby sleep apnea

sleek, sleekit, sleeky, sleep, sleep a wink, not, sleep apnea, sleep apnoea, sleep around, sleep hygiene, sleep in, sleep learning

Definition for sleep apnea (2 of 2)

apnea

or ap·noe·a

[ ap-nee-uh, ap-nee-uh ]
/ ˈæp ni ə, æpˈni ə /

noun Pathology.

a temporary suspension of breathing, occurring in some newborns (infant apnea) and in some adults during sleep (sleep apnea).
asphyxia.

Origin of apnea

1710–20; < New Latin apnoea < Greek ápnoia, equivalent to ápno(os) breathless ( a- a-6 + pno-, variant stem of pneîn to breathe + -os adj. suffix) + -ia -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM apnea

ap·ne·al, ap·ne·ic, ap·noe·al, ap·noe·ic, adjective

Medical definitions for sleep apnea (1 of 2)

apnea
[ ăp′nē-ə, ăp-nē′ə ]

n.

Temporary absence or cessation of breathing.

Other words from apnea

ap•ne′ic adj. n.

Medical definitions for sleep apnea (2 of 2)

sleep apnea

n.

Apnea caused by upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with frequent awakening and often with daytime sleepiness.

Scientific definitions for sleep apnea (1 of 2)

apnea
[ ăp′nē-ə, ăp-nē′ə ]

The temporary absence or cessation of breathing.

Scientific definitions for sleep apnea (2 of 2)

sleep apnea

Apnea caused by upper airway obstruction during sleep, associated with frequent awakening and often with daytime sleepiness. It occurs most often in people who are obese or who have an obstructed respiratory tract or neurological abnormalities.