ModL < Gr apnoia < a-, without + pnoiē, wind: see pneumatic & sneeze
apnea in American English
(ˈæpniə, æpˈniə)
noun Pathology
1.
a temporary suspension of breathing, occurring in some newborns (infant apnea) and in some adults during sleep (sleep apnea)
2.
asphyxia
Also: apnoea
Derived forms
apnealapneicapnoeal or apnoeic
adjective
Word origin
[1710–20; ‹ NL apnoea ‹ Gk ápnoia, equiv. to ápno(os) breathless (a-a-6 + pno-, var. s. of pneîn to breathe + -os adj. suffix) + -ia-ia]This word is first recorded in the period 1710–20. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: bureau, floater, o'clock, offshore, propaganda
Examples of 'apnea' in a sentence
apnea
One of the most widely seen problems at the center is sleep apnea.
Houston Chronicle (2001)
The second is sleep apnea, an obstruction of the upper airway.
canada.com (2008)
Sleep apnea should be treated by an expert.
Houston Chronicle (2002)
She suggested he might have sleep apnea.
Houston Chronicle (2002)
He was found to have sleep apnea, for which he sought medical treatment.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
That is the case for aging and sleep apnea.
canada.com (2008)
Knower uses the machine in addition to daily medication to treat a sleep-disrupting condition called sleep apnea.
canada.com (2004)
She was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, which causes sufferers to suddenly stop breathing at night.