stertor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “stertor” mean?
A heavy, snoring sound made during inhalation, typically caused by obstruction of the air passages.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heavy, snoring sound made during inhalation, typically caused by obstruction of the air passages.
In medicine, specifically refers to the laboured, noisy respiration that can occur in certain pathological conditions such as coma, stroke, or drug overdose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. It is a specialist medical term used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries the same strong connotation of severe illness or unconsciousness in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, restricted almost exclusively to medical documentation and clinical discussion.
Grammar
How to Use “stertor” in a Sentence
The [patient] exhibited significant stertor.The [diagnosis] was accompanied by heavy stertor.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stertor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The patient's breathing became increasingly stertorous.
American English
- He was found in a stertorous state by the paramedics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in medical and nursing academic papers, textbooks, and clinical reports to describe a specific respiratory symptom.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in clinical medicine, neurology, and emergency care to describe a specific sign of airway obstruction or neurological impairment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stertor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stertor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stertor”
- Using it to describe normal snoring.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈstɜːtɔː(r)/.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'he stertored'). The verb form is not standard; use 'breathed stertorously'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it describes a snoring-like sound, it is a specific medical term indicating obstructed breathing due to a pathological condition like coma, stroke, or drug overdose, not simple sleep-related snoring.
No, it would sound highly unusual and technical. In everyday situations, you would say 'heavy snoring' or 'laboured breathing'.
Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by blocked airflow in the windpipe or voice box. Stertor is a low-pitched, snoring sound originating from obstruction in the nose, throat, or soft palate.
No, there is no standard verb form. The associated adjective is 'stertorous', as in 'stertorous breathing'. To describe the action, clinicians say 'the patient breathes stertorously'.
A heavy, snoring sound made during inhalation, typically caused by obstruction of the air passages.
Stertor is usually technical/medical in register.
Stertor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɜːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɜːrtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STEReo blasting a snoring sound from a TORpid (unconscious) person = STERTOR.
Conceptual Metaphor
BREATHING IS A NOISY MACHINE (when malfunctioning).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'stertor'?