foot-and-mouth disease

noun

ˈfu̇t-ən(d)-ˈmau̇th- 

: an acute contagious febrile disease especially of cloven-footed animals that is caused by serotypes of a picornavirus (Aphthovirus vesiculae) and is marked by ulcerating vesicles (see vesicle sense 1b) in the mouth, about the hooves, and on the udder and teats

called also foot-and-mouth, hoof-and-mouth disease

compare hand, foot and mouth disease

Examples of foot-and-mouth disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After their herd was wiped out from a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, they're left with no choice but to ally themselves with their rival ranch, 10-Petal. —Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

But Dutton Ranch took it to another level in its fourth episode, when foot-and-mouth disease infected Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth's (Kelly Reilly) entire herd, forcing them to kill ALL their cattle. —Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026

Now, in just episode four, their new operation has already lost its inventory to foot-and-mouth disease. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 29 May 2026

Uh oh, foot-and-mouth disease might run through Rip’s herd. —William Earl, Variety, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foot-and-mouth disease

• ferromanganese
• mephistopheles
• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees

Kids Definition

foot-and-mouth disease

noun

: a virus disease especially of cattle that is marked by fever and by ulcers in the mouth, about the hooves, and on the udder

called also hoof-and-mouth disease

Medical Definition

foot-and-mouth disease

noun

: an acute contagious febrile disease especially of cloven-hoofed animals that is caused by any of seven serotypes of a picornavirus (Aphthovirus vesiculae) and is marked by ulcerating vesicles in the mouth, about the hooves, and on the udder and teats

called also aftosa, aphthous fever, foot-and-mouth, hoof-and-mouth disease

compare hand, foot and mouth disease