malaria

noun

ma·​lar·​ia mə-ˈler-ē-ə 

1

a

: a human disease that is caused by sporozoan parasites (genus Plasmodium) in the red blood cells, is transmitted by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever

b

: any of various diseases of birds and mammals caused by blood protozoans

2

archaic : air infected with a noxious substance capable of causing disease

especially : miasma

malarial

mə-ˈler-ē-əl 

adjective

malarious

mə-ˈler-ē-əs 

adjective

Examples of malaria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, malaria and polio primarily affect children under 5, but the former requires strategies to reduce the mosquito bites that transmit disease, while the latter requires childhood immunization. —Robin Lin Miller, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025

As for his charitable work, Beckham has worked closely with organizations fighting malaria and has been serving as an ambassador for UNICEF since 2005. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025

While historians long theorized that foul play may have played a role in the death of the ruler, more recent DNA analysis suggests that Tutankhamen likely died from a combination of malaria and a bone disorder, per Live Science. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

He is believed to have suffered from numerous illnesses and disabilities, including circulatory problems, malaria, bone disease and a club foot. —Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from mala aria bad air

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing malaria

• anti-malaria
• falciparum malaria
• vivax malaria

Rhymes for malaria

• area
• ceria
• feria
• varia
• aquaria
• gregaria
• herbaria
• hysteria
• puparia
• rancheria
• araucaria
• arenaria

Kids Definition

malaria

noun

ma·​lar·​ia mə-ˈler-ē-ə 

: a disease caused by protozoan parasites in the red blood cells, passed from one individual to another by the bite of mosquitoes, and marked by periodic attacks of chills and fever

malarial

-ē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

malaria

noun

ma·​lar·​ia mə-ˈler-ē-ə 

1

: an acute or chronic disease caused by the presence of sporozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium in the red blood cells, transmitted from an infected to an uninfected individual by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever that coincide with mass destruction of blood cells and the release of toxic substances by the parasite at the end of each reproductive cycle

malaria remains the greatest single cause of debilitation and death throughout the world

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

see falciparum malaria, vivax malaria

2

: any of various diseases of birds and mammals that are more or less similar to malaria of human beings and are caused by blood protozoans