Lyme disease

noun

ˈlīm- 

: an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by spirochetes (genus Borrelia, especially B. burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. scapularis), that is usually characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders

called also Lyme\ ˈlīm \

Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lone star tick is the most common tick in North Carolina and is associated with Alpha-gal syndrome, Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to NC State extension associate Christopher Hayes. —Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026

Lyme disease became an issue in a lawsuit settled by the Boise School District. —Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2026

One lives in Pittsburgh Not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 June 2026

In rare cases, Lyme disease can also affect the heart and the nervous system. —Lakshmi Chauhan, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Lyme disease

• actuaries
• analyses
• anopheles
• antitheses
• apostrophes
• appendices
• catalyses
• distributees
• examinees
• hypotheses
• interviewees
• isosceles

Kids Definition

Lyme disease

noun

ˈlīm- 

: a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium transmitted by some ticks, that is often characterized at first by a spreading red patch on the skin, and that may result in joint pain and disorders of the heart and nervous system if left untreated

Etymology

from Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was first reported

Medical Definition

Lyme disease

noun

: an acute inflammatory disease that is usually characterized initially by the skin lesion erythema migrans and by fatigue, fever, and chills and if left untreated may later manifest itself in cardiac and neurological disorders, joint pain, and arthritis and that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Borrelia (B. burgdorferi) transmitted by the bite of a tick especially of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini in the eastern and midwestern United States, I. pacificus especially in some parts of the Pacific coastal states of the United States, and I. ricinus in Europe)

called also Lyme, Lyme borreliosis