diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə 
nonstandard
dip-
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vaccine was first developed during WWI, and has been widely available in a combination inoculation with tetanus and diphtheria for more than seven decades.
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024
Under Ladapo, the state has actually been gaining on the nation as a whole in terms of flu shots for adults and holding its own on immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in toddlers.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Tdap vaccine The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine helps to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024
As early as 2 months old, babies get a formulation called DTaP, which besides pertussis also protects against diphtheria and tetanus.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024
Under Ladapo, the state has actually been gaining on the nation as a whole in terms of flu shots for adults and holding its own on immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis in toddlers.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024
Tdap vaccine The Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine helps to protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024
As early as 2 months old, babies get a formulation called DTaP, which besides pertussis also protects against diphtheria and tetanus.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for diphtheria
Dictionary Entries Near diphtheria
Cite this Entry
“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing
Medical Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium (C. diphtheriae) which produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
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