heartburn
noun
heart·burn
ˈhärt-ˌbərn 
plural heartburns
: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus
In any given month, about one-quarter of Americans suffer from heartburn, which is caused by reflux, or backward flow, of stomach acid into the esophagus.—
Clyde M. Burnham
Clyde M. BurnhamHeartburn—painful reflux of stomach acid—can occur in a person with a perfectly intact esophagus.—Paul G. Donohue
see acid reflux
Paul G. DonohueExamples of heartburn in a Sentence
I like spicy food, but it gives me heartburn.
Recent Examples on the Web
While the occasional heartburn episode usually isn't an indicator of anything major, continuous and recurring symptoms may be an indication of a health issue, such as acid reflux, that's worth consulting your doctor about.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Exercise and diet can also help manage conditions that worsen allergic asthma, such as excess body fat or uncontrolled heartburn.
—Susan Russell, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
This condition occurs when stomach contents come up into the throat, which causes inflammation without the typical heartburn symptoms.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
More than 65 million Americans are affected by the chronic condition, in which stomach acid flows into the esophagus, causing irritation and heartburn, among other symptoms.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartburn
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Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Exercise and diet can also help manage conditions that worsen allergic asthma, such as excess body fat or uncontrolled heartburn.
—Susan Russell, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
This condition occurs when stomach contents come up into the throat, which causes inflammation without the typical heartburn symptoms.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
More than 65 million Americans are affected by the chronic condition, in which stomach acid flows into the esophagus, causing irritation and heartburn, among other symptoms.
—Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartburn
Cite this Entry
“Heartburn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartburn. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heartburn
noun
heart·burn
-ˌbərn
: a burning discomfort seeming to occur in the area of the heart and usually due to spasms which pass acid from the stomach into the esophagus
Medical Definition
heartburn
noun
heart·burn
-ˌbərn
: a burning discomfort behind the lower part of the sternum due especially to the backward flow of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus
called also cardialgia, pyrosis
see acid reflux compare water brashLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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