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

• trots
• runs

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

Food dyes began to raise wider health concerns around 1950, when Orange No. 1 in Halloween candy gave trick-or-treating children diarrhea and rashes. —Shayla Love, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025

After competing, many of the athletes experienced symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

The coriander plant is also used in various forms of traditional medicine for gas, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.9 Coriander seeds are a rich source of linalool, a phytonutrient linked to a variety of health benefits. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2025

Some patients may also experience nausea, diarrhea and confusion, the CDC noted. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for diarrhea

• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea
• coffea
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• maria
• medea

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