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

The discovery could be a game changer in the fight against malaria, with Africa accounting for 95% of the 600,000 global deaths in 2024. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

Commercial mosquito repellents are often too expensive for many rural families in Uganda, making regular use unrealistic despite the risk of malaria. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Medical supplies grew scarce, vaccination rates dropped and cases of measles, diphtheria and malaria surged. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 8 July 2026

These conditions make Ebola especially risky, as early symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses such as malaria and delay detection, increasing risks of contagion. — Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

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