diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

1

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools (see stool entry 1 sense 3a)

symptoms include fever, nausea, and diarrhea

2

: excessive flow

verbal diarrhea

diarrheal

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-əl 

adjective

diarrheic

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ik 

adjective

diarrhetic

ˌdī-ə-ˈre-tik 

adjective

Synonyms

• Delhi belly
• flux
• Montezuma's revenge
• runs
• trots
• turista

Examples of diarrhea in a Sentence

The symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea.

I was taken with severe diarrhea while attending the conference.

Recent Examples on the Web

Related article Children are drinking from puddles and wading through sewage pools, as Israel pummels water systems in Gaza Bacterial infections like diarrhea have become commonplace in the enclave due to the consumption of contaminated water. —Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024

Other symptoms include rashes, hives, itching, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

These can give rise to symptoms like extreme thirst, fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, puffiness, weight gain, heart palpitations, headaches, and sleep difficulties. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia, from diarrhein to flow through, from dia- + rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diarrhea

• traveler's diarrhea

Kids Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements

Medical Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea

variants or chiefly British diarrhoea

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools