polydipsia

noun

poly·​dip·​sia ˌpä-lē-ˈdip-sē-ə How to pronounce polydipsia (audio)
: excessive or abnormal thirst
polydipsic adjective

Examples of polydipsia 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.
However, excessive and persistent thirst—a condition known as polydipsia—can reveal an underlying medical issue. Lauren O'Connor, Health, 23 Oct. 2025 Excessive Thirst One of the main symptoms of type 1 diabetes is excessive or extreme thirst, called polydipsia. Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025 Your diet may play a role in potentially developing polydipsia or related symptoms, certainly, as can other lifestyle factors; sometimes, thirst may be an indicator of a larger issue that requires a doctor's help. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 27 Sep. 2020 At Patton, Nunez was treated for schizophrenia and developed psychogenic polydipsia, which drives a pervasive addiction to water. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2019 Among patients with schizophrenia, those with severe polydipsia have a 75 percent chance of dying before patients without the compulsion to drink water, according to another study published in 2009 in Schizophrenia Research. Emily Woodruff, baltimoresun.com, 9 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek polýdipsos "causing great thirst" (from poly- poly- + -dipsos, adjective derivative of dípsa "thirst," of uncertain origin) + -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polydipsia was in 1661

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Cite this Entry

“Polydipsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polydipsia. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

Medical Definition

polydipsia

noun
poly·​dip·​sia ˌpäl-i-ˈdip-sē-ə How to pronounce polydipsia (audio)
: excessive or abnormal thirst
polydipsic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on polydipsia

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