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
State law still would require vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
—
Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
The process of pasteurization, heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time, kills harmful organisms responsible for diseases such as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis, according to the FDA.
—Gma Team, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
But the repeal of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus, requires legislative action.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
The rate of Texas kindergartners up-to-date on their DTaP vaccines, which protect against diphtheria and tetanus as well as whooping cough, dropped from almost 97% to 93% between 2019 and 2024, according to state data.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
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Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
The process of pasteurization, heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time, kills harmful organisms responsible for diseases such as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis, according to the FDA.
—Gma Team, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
But the repeal of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus, requires legislative action.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
The rate of Texas kindergartners up-to-date on their DTaP vaccines, which protect against diphtheria and tetanus as well as whooping cough, dropped from almost 97% to 93% between 2019 and 2024, according to state data.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
Cite this Entry
“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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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