noun
apnea
AP-nee-uh
noun
1
A temporary pause or stopping of breathing, especially during sleep.
"He was diagnosed with sleep apnea after months of exhausted mornings."
"Apnea during sleep can lower blood oxygen levels significantly."
How to Use Apnea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pause in breathing, most commonly heard in the medical term "sleep apnea."
UK vs US
Spelled "apnoea" in British English, "apnea" in American English.
Common pairings
sleep apnea
apnea episode
Word Forms
apneas plural
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He was diagnosed with sleep _____ after months of exhausted mornings.
Etymology
From Greek apnoia, "absence of breathing," from a- ("without") plus pnein ("to breathe").