diphtheria

noun

diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə How to pronounce diphtheria (audio)
nonstandard
dip- How to pronounce diphtheria (audio)
: 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
diphtherial
dif-ˈthir-ē-əl How to pronounce diphtheria (audio)
 nonstandard  dip-
adjective
diphtheritic
ˌdif-thə-ˈri-tik How to pronounce diphtheria (audio)
 nonstandard  ˌdip-
adjective

Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Long believed to be a Siberian husky, Balto — perhaps the most famous sled dog of all time — gained superstar status for his role in delivering diphtheria medication to sick children in Nome, Alaska, in 1925. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 But the dog would go on to prove his mettle when a severe diphtheria outbreak hit Nome in January 1925, and the city's port was icebound and hence inaccessible from the sea. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Apr. 2023 Seven of the latter are displayed on white canine forms, arranged around a sled to commemorate the 1925 dog-sled relay that delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Nome from Lord’s home village, Nenana. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 7 June 2023 In February 1925, in the midst of a diphtheria outbreak, a relay of sled dog teams delivered an emergency supply of antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, which had been isolated by snow. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023 Then, in early 1925, Balto was part of a relay of sled dog teams who hauled diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, where an outbreak was spreading among the town’s children. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 DTaP vaccine The four-dose diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine series protects your baby from three life-threatening, toxin-releasing bacterial diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Taryn Chapman, Parents, 28 Sep. 2023 School officials focused on students in pre-K3, kindergarten, seventh and 11th grades, points at which students are supposed to have certain vaccines — including chickenpox and tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023 Childhood immunizations overall -- including the measles, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), polio and chickenpox vaccines -- have dipped in recent years among kindergarteners, decreasing from 95% in 2019 to 94% in 2020, then to 93% in 2021, according to the CDC. Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diphtheria.' 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

New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the toughness of the false membrane

First Known Use

circa 1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diphtheria was circa 1851

Dictionary Entries Near diphtheria

Cite this Entry

“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diphtheria

noun
diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə How to pronounce diphtheria (audio) dip- How to pronounce diphtheria (audio)
: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing
diphtheritic adjective

Medical Definition

diphtheria

noun
diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə How to pronounce diphtheria (audio) dip- How to pronounce diphtheria (audio)
: 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
diphtherial adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on diphtheria

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