claustrophobia

noun

claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
1
: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces
2
: a feeling of discomfort or discontent caused by being in a limiting or restrictive situation or environment
While recovering in the hospital, she recognizes the claustrophobia of her working-class life, shared with a suffocatingly affectionate mother and a dud of a dad.—Barbara Tritel
claustrophobe
ˈklȯ-strə-ˌfōb How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
noun

Examples of claustrophobia in a Sentence

She doesn't go in elevators because of her claustrophobia. the claustrophobia of small-town life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Avery reveals the claustrophobia feeling comes from the inside. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 Dawood suffers from claustrophobia — even long-haul flights are a trial for her. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 Cinematographer Armand Thirard’s subtle and shadowy lighting intensifies Diabolique’s haunting suspense and sense of claustrophobia, which later inspired Hitchcock’s Psycho. — Air Mail, 10 Oct. 2026 There is humiliation here, claustrophobia, physical vulnerability and an intimacy that occasionally brushes against the erotic. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for claustrophobia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin claustrum + New Latin -phobia

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of claustrophobia was in 1879

Rhymes for claustrophobia

See All Rhymes for claustrophobia

Browse Nearby Words

claustration
claustrophobia
claustrophobic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Claustrophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claustrophobia. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

claustrophobia

noun
claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
: abnormal fear of being in closed or narrow spaces
claustrophobic
-ˈfō-bik
adjective

Medical Definition

claustrophobia

noun
claus·​tro·​pho·​bia ˌklȯ-strə-ˈfō-bē-ə How to pronounce claustrophobia (audio)
: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces
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