dry eye

noun

: a condition associated with inadequate tear production and marked by redness, itching, and burning of the eye

called also dry eye syndrome

Examples of dry eye in a Sentence

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.
And there are lots of other factors that can contribute to dry eyes, Nichols says. — Maria Godoy, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 Dry Eyes Omega-3 fatty acids may help maintain eye health and prevent dry eyes. — Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 20 Aug. 2026 Women in midlife are already prone to dry eyes disease thanks to hormonal changes, and summer can make symptoms worse. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 July 2026 Yin corresponds to blood in the liver, and a liver yin deficiency can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, or decreased visual acuity. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dry eye

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dry eye was in 1950

Rhymes for dry eye

See All Rhymes for dry eye

Browse Nearby Words

dry-erase board
dry eye
dry-eyed
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Cite this Entry

“Dry eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20eye. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

dry eye

noun
: a condition associated with inadequate tear production and marked by redness of the conjunctiva, by itching and burning of the eye, and usually by filaments of desquamated epithelial cells adhering to the cornea

called also keratoconjunctivitis sicca

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