diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə 
nonstandard
dip-
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Students starting seventh grade must have a Tdap shot, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.
—
Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
This study looked at children in the west African country of Guinea-Bissau who had been given the DTP vaccine — for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, three potentially fatal diseases.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 1 July 2025
In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles.
—Rebecca Schein, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
Meanwhile, diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory problems and, if untreated, may be fatal in serious cases.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
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Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
This study looked at children in the west African country of Guinea-Bissau who had been given the DTP vaccine — for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, three potentially fatal diseases.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 1 July 2025
In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles.
—Rebecca Schein, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
Meanwhile, diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory problems and, if untreated, may be fatal in serious cases.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
Cite this Entry
“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing
Medical Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium (C. diphtheriae) which produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
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