celiac disease

noun

: a chronic hereditary intestinal disorder in which an inability to absorb the gliadin portion of gluten results in the gliadin triggering an immune response that damages the intestinal mucosa

called also celiac sprue

Examples of celiac disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kids with celiac disease may also experience growth delays and short stature. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2025 For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, cross-contamination can be an issue. Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 18 June 2025 Because Acosta has celiac disease, all food items from tacos to pastries, like carrot cake and Salvadoran quesadilla, are house-made and gluten-free. Irene Adeline Milanez, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025 For example, the report points to a fivefold rise in the rates of celiac disease since the 1980s but fails to acknowledge a dramatic increase in diagnosis and awareness of the autoimmune disorder. Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for celiac disease

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of celiac disease was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“Celiac disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celiac%20disease. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

celiac disease

noun
: a chronic hereditary intestinal disorder in which an inability to absorb the gliadin portion of gluten results in the gliadin triggering an immune response that damages the intestinal mucosa

called also celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, nontropical sprue, sprue

More from Merriam-Webster on celiac disease

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