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
Spicy foods: These foods can trigger heartburn or indigestion in some people.
—Aviv Joshua, Verywell Health, 9 July 2024
Unseating Bowman would be the strongest sign yet that criticizing Israel is a recipe for heartburn and may at least be a contributing factor in an incumbent’s loss.
—Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 25 June 2024
Antacids do not address the root causes of heartburn.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 22 June 2024
The back pain, heartburn, acid reflux and insomnia are no joke!
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for heartburn 
Aviv Joshua, Verywell Health, 9 July 2024
Unseating Bowman would be the strongest sign yet that criticizing Israel is a recipe for heartburn and may at least be a contributing factor in an incumbent’s loss.
—Aaron Blake, Washington Post, 25 June 2024
Antacids do not address the root causes of heartburn.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 22 June 2024
The back pain, heartburn, acid reflux and insomnia are no joke!
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for heartburn
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heartburn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near heartburn
Cite this Entry
“Heartburn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartburn. Accessed 15 Jul. 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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