apnea
Meaning of apnea: A temporary cessation of breathing.
Definition of apnea
Apnea is a pause or complete temporary stop in breathing. Episodes may occur during sleep, because of airway obstruction, from reduced respiratory drive, or in other clinical situations.
Also known as
cessation of breathing
Used in a sentence
The sleep study recorded several episodes of apnea.
Good to know
Apnea differs from dyspnea: apnea is absent airflow, while dyspnea is the sensation of difficult breathing.
Word origin
Where “apnea” comes from
From Greek a-, “without,” and pnoē, “breathing.”