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Definition of health noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

      

    health

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//hɛlθ//
     
    [uncountable]
     
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  1. 1the condition of a person's body or mind Exhaust fumes are bad for your health. to be in poor/good/excellent/the best of health Smoking can seriously damage your health. mental health see ill health Thesaurusillness
    • condition
    • health problems/issues
    • disability
    These are all words for the state of someone's health, especially when they are physically or mentally ill.
    • illness the state of being physically or mentally ill
    • condition the state of someone's health or how fit they are, especially when they are ill:She can't travel in her condition. My condition requires me to watch what I eat.
    • health problems/issues any problems that someone has with their physical or mental health:My parents have had a lot of health problems this year. Many of the patients at the clinic are dealing with serious mental health issues. The term health issues is slightly more formal than health problems.
    • disability a physical or mental condition that means you cannot use a part of your body completely or easily, or that you cannot learn easily:His disability does not keep him from living a full and active life.
    Patterns
    • (a) chronic illness/condition/health problems/health issues/disability
    • to suffer from an illness/health problems/health issues
    • to deal with/have health problems/health issues/a disability
  2. 2the state of being physically and mentally healthy He was nursed back to health by his wife. She was glowing with health and clearly enjoying life. As long as you have your health, nothing else matters.
  3. 3the work of providing medical services All parties are promising to increase spending on health. the Department of Health health insurance health and safety regulations (= laws that protect the health of people at work)
  4. 4how successful something is the health of your marriage/finances
  5. Idioms
    a clean bill of health
     
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    a report that says someone is healthy or that something is in good condition Doctors gave him a clean bill of health after a series of tests and examinations. The building was given a clean bill of health by the surveyor.
    drink to somebody's health
     
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    to wish someone good health as you lift your glass, and then drink from it
See health in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary