beriberi
noun
beri·beri
ˈber-ē-ˈber-ē 
ˈbe-rē-ˈbe-rē
: a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine
Examples of beriberi in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ulcers, beriberi from lack of vitamin B, tuberculosis, and burst arteries are among the ailments common among those workers, the report said, citing local doctors.
—
Elaine Kurtenbach, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Nov. 2022
Her most notable inventions included soyalac, a drink made from soy beans, and darak, rice flour that could be eaten or baked into cookies rich in vitamin B-1, essential in preventing beriberi disease.
—Seth Mydans, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2022
Like scurvy, beriberi can be found in people who lack fresh food.
—Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2021
Another raider died from beriberi while in captivity.
—Daniel Ford, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2020
Is there hope that the flop, like beriberi, will someday be eradicated?
—Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 18 Dec. 2019
The two would go on to discover Vitamin B, which prevents the disease beriberi, a cause of nerve inflammation and heart failure.
—Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2018
If staple foods like rice fail to provide critical vitamins and minerals, illnesses like anemia and beriberi will rise, stalling progress in the climb out of poverty.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 24 May 2018
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Elaine Kurtenbach, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Nov. 2022
Her most notable inventions included soyalac, a drink made from soy beans, and darak, rice flour that could be eaten or baked into cookies rich in vitamin B-1, essential in preventing beriberi disease.
—Seth Mydans, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2022
Like scurvy, beriberi can be found in people who lack fresh food.
—Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2021
Another raider died from beriberi while in captivity.
—Daniel Ford, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2020
Is there hope that the flop, like beriberi, will someday be eradicated?
—Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 18 Dec. 2019
The two would go on to discover Vitamin B, which prevents the disease beriberi, a cause of nerve inflammation and heart failure.
—Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2018
If staple foods like rice fail to provide critical vitamins and minerals, illnesses like anemia and beriberi will rise, stalling progress in the climb out of poverty.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 24 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Beriberi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beriberi. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
beriberi
noun
beri·beri
ˌber-ē-ˈber-ē
: a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine
called also kakke
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