swimmer's ear

swim·mer's ear

noun \ˈswim-ərz-\

Definition of SWIMMER'S EAR

: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, discharge, and sometimes hearing loss and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected with a bacterium (as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus) or rarely with a fungus