diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə How to pronounce diarrhea (audio)
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 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 Potential side effects include constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and dizziness. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 Although six dogs were asymptomatic, five were stricken by vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss, according to the department. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Common complications from measles include ear infections and diarrhea. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The authors chose states that were very different in literacy levels, socioeconomic status and diarrhea care. Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 27 Feb. 2024 Eating spoiled egg salad can lead to gastrointestinal distress including diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive symptoms. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024 Seventy percent had diarrhea in the past two weeks, 23 times higher than the 2022 baseline. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 There is no vaccine to prevent the gastrointestinal virus, which can cause stomach distress, vomiting and diarrhea, nor is there a medication to treat it, the CDC warns. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Amanda Sealy, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diarrhea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near diarrhea

Cite this Entry

“Diarrhea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diarrhea. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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