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.
This is helpful for people with celiac disease or other conditions who need to completely avoid gluten to avoid potentially life-threatening illnesses. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 And celiac disease was also easily identified in the samples from participants on a strict, long-term gluten-free diet. Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 9 June 2025 There was little knowledge about celiac disease or gluten allergies at that time, and certainly less about cross-contamination. Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 This includes people who don’t spend a lot of time in the sun, are over the age of 65, have a darker skin tone or live with certain chronic conditions that could cause malabsorption issues (such Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, chronic kidney disease or liver disease). Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 28 May 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 3 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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