diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
Synonyms of diarrheanext
1
: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools (see stool entry 1 sense 3a)
Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea.
2
: excessive flow
verbal diarrhea
diarrheal adjective
diarrheic adjective
diarrhetic adjective

Examples of diarrhea in a Sentence

The symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea. I was taken with severe diarrhea while attending the conference.
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.
As for magnesium, your supplement shouldn’t exceed 350 mg; going overboard increases your risk for GI upset or diarrhea. Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026 Signs of disease include warts on legs, crusty or swollen eyes, feebleness, a ruffled appearance, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, and diarrhea. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026 Urgent care is the place to start for everything else, like a cough, sore throat, runny nose or diarrhea. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026 According to Food Allergy Research & Education, allergic reactions to soy are typically mild and produce symptoms such as hives, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and itching, but reactions can be unpredictable. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diarrhea

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia, from diarrhein to flow through, from dia- + rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diarrhea was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diarrhea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diarrhea. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

diarrhea

noun
di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements

Medical Definition

diarrhea

noun
di·​ar·​rhea
variants or chiefly British diarrhoea
: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools

More from Merriam-Webster on diarrhea

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