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 of the disease 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 of diarrhea

• trots
• runs

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

Severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea can require emergency care. — Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 24 June 2026

Traveler’s diarrhea from the contamination of water Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common illness tied to unsafe water. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026

When to Drink More The amount of fluid your body requires fluctuates with age, activity levels, climate, medications, and illness— particularly fever, vomiting, or diarrhea—to name a handful. — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2026

The chances of side effects were also similar in each group, with 3 percent or fewer reporting mild, moderate, and nonserious events such as diarrhea and headache. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 23 June 2026

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

Rhymes for diarrhea

• chia
• mia
• pia
• rhea
• shia
• stria
• thea
• zia
• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea

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