diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

1

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools (see stool entry 1 sense 3a)

symptoms include fever, nausea, and diarrhea

2

: excessive flow

verbal diarrhea

diarrheal

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-əl 

adjective

diarrheic

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ik 

adjective

diarrhetic

ˌdī-ə-ˈre-tik 

adjective

Synonyms

• Delhi belly
• flux
• Montezuma's revenge
• runs
• trots
• turista

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

Summary Dehydration occurs when a person has insufficient water due to poor intake or excess loss (e.g., vomiting or diarrhea). —Forest Miller, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024

Swallowing water could lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain. —Julia Ries, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024

McNamara said to go to the veterinarian immediately if your pet exhibits signs of battery poisoning, which includes vomiting, diarrhea and trouble breathing. —Christopher Brito, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2024

Healthy people can also suffer symptoms including fever, headaches, nausea, stiffness, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and the infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 31 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing diarrhea

• traveler's diarrhea

Kids Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements

Medical Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea

variants or chiefly British diarrhoea

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools