bubo

noun

bu·​bo ˈbyü-(ˌ)bō  ˈbü- 

plural buboes

: an inflammatory swelling of a lymph gland especially in the groin

bubonic

byü-ˈbä-nik 

bü-

adjective

Examples of bubo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those with bubonic plague have one or more swollen and painful lymph nodes, also called buboes. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2025

Along with fever, headache and chills, someone with the bubonic plague may get swollen painful lymph nodes called buboes. — Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025

Symptoms of the plague include fever, headache, chills, weakness and one or more swollen, painful lymph nodes, known as buboes. — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2024

Usually, patients will have blood and other samples, such as sputum or pus, taken from a bubo. — Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

After an incubation period of two to eight days, patients develop fever, headache and a bubo. — Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

Bubonic plague still exists today, and symptoms include painful, swollen lymph nodes, called buboes, in the groin, armpit or neck areas, as well as fever, chills and coughing. — Katie Hunt, CNN, 10 July 2024

Infection is rapid, causing swellings in the lymph nodes (buboes) and leading to septicaemia and pulmonary infection. — Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

In the second, highly lethal variant of the Black Death, patients typically exhibited no initial symptoms, such as the onset of a fever or the appearance of buboes, but instead would suddenly begin to vomit up blood (that was usually dark in color) and typically died soon thereafter. — Literary Hub, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin bubon-, bubo, from Greek boubōn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bubo

noun

bu·​bo ˈb(y)ü-bō 

plural buboes

: an inflamed swelling of a lymph node especially in the groin

bubonic

b(y)ü-ˈbän-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

bubo

noun

bu·​bo ˈb(y)ü-(ˌ)bō 

plural buboes

: an inflammatory swelling of a lymph node especially in the groin

bubonic

b(y)ü-ˈbän-ik 

adjective