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
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And to boost the body’s immune response, it is added to some vaccines—such as those for human papillomavirus (HPV) and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), as well as some combination vaccines that protect against polio.
—
Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025
The shots protect against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and mumps, which once plagued children and their parents.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
In 1915, Jukichi Harada, seeking better living conditions for his family after his young son died of diphtheria in an overcrowded boarding house, bought a wooden frame home on Lemon Street in Riverside, California.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The DTaP/Tdap vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, is a must for children in the state.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2025
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Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025
The shots protect against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and mumps, which once plagued children and their parents.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
In 1915, Jukichi Harada, seeking better living conditions for his family after his young son died of diphtheria in an overcrowded boarding house, bought a wooden frame home on Lemon Street in Riverside, California.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The DTaP/Tdap vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, is a must for children in the state.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 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 26 Nov. 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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