Lyme disease

noun

: an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. dammini), 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 How to pronounce Lyme disease (audio) \

Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tarsus has not proven that its pill can actually prevent Lyme disease. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024 Justin struggled with addiction as a teenager, battled Lyme disease in 2020 and was diagnosed in 2020 with facial paralysis due to Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a neurological disorder. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 Ticks, for instance, can transmit infections that cause Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and tularemia. Katia Hetter, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 All that’s needed to report cases of Lyme disease in high-incidence states is a positive lab test. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2024 Kaylee is adjusting following her eye surgery, and Nibs is recovering from Lyme disease and an operation to remove non-cancerous fatty masses. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 People are now also seeking out leech therapy as an alternative treatment for various illnesses; the 77-year-old Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović recently claimed that the practice, along with garlic drops and other old-world treatments, helped cure her Lyme disease. Zoey Poll, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 But the new system should provide a clearer picture of what is going on with Lyme disease going forward, Kugeler said. Helen Branswell, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024 Kent is opening up about her diagnosis with Ménière's disease at age 17 and Lyme disease at age 21, according to an article by CBS 8. USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Lyme disease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lyme disease was in 1979

Dictionary Entries Near Lyme disease

Cite this Entry

“Lyme disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lyme%20disease. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Lyme disease

noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on Lyme disease

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!