1
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
a stomach ailment
2
: unrest, uneasiness
an emotional ailment
Synonyms
Examples of ailment in a Sentence
She suffered from a chronic back ailment.
The doctor treated him for a variety of ailments.
Recent Examples on the Web
Then, on Thursday, the zoo decided to euthanize Keesha, a 28-year-old sloth bear who was not responding to treatment for several ailments, including severe arthritis of the spine, Magill said.
—
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024
But the new findings focused on heavy metals add another layer to this picture and start to get at the causes of the composer’s ailments, the team writes in the letter.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ailment 
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024
But the new findings focused on heavy metals add another layer to this picture and start to get at the causes of the composer’s ailments, the team writes in the letter.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for ailment
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ailment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ailment
Cite this Entry
“Ailment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailment. Accessed 14 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ailment
noun
ail·ment
ˈā(ə)l-mənt 
: a bodily disorder or chronic disease
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