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
Gastrointestinal diseases cause a wide range of symptoms, including heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
However, some may find that the dairy in golden milk triggers nighttime heartburn.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Just like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain can have a laundry list of other possible causes, like heartburn, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections, and kidney stones.
—Amy Norton, SELF, 24 Sep. 2024
Other ways to combat heartburn and ward off aggravation caused by acid include medications, lifestyle changes, and reducing consumption of acidic fruits.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heartburn 
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Mark Gurarie, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
However, some may find that the dairy in golden milk triggers nighttime heartburn.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024
Just like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain can have a laundry list of other possible causes, like heartburn, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections, and kidney stones.
—Amy Norton, SELF, 24 Sep. 2024
Other ways to combat heartburn and ward off aggravation caused by acid include medications, lifestyle changes, and reducing consumption of acidic fruits.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heartburn
Dictionary Entries Near heartburn
Cite this Entry
“Heartburn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartburn. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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