malaria

noun

ma·​lar·​ia mə-ˈler-ē-ə How to pronounce malaria (audio)
1
a
: a human disease that is caused by sporozoan parasites (genus Plasmodium) in the red blood cells, is transmitted by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever
b
: any of various diseases of birds and mammals caused by blood protozoans
2
archaic : air infected with a noxious substance capable of causing disease
especially : miasma
malarial adjective
malarious adjective

Examples of malaria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For decades, the CDC has been the backbone of global health partnerships, supporting Africa in the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, Ebola and now COVID-19. Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 Fox News' John Roberts diagnosed with malaria Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Greta Cross, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025 The current administration has cut off research and support for USAID, so some fear a rapid rebound in malaria cases. Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 The focus of the program’s work has been eliminating malaria by editing the genetic makeup of male mosquitoes and releasing them in the wild to prevent the reproduction of female mosquito species that transmit malaria. Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for malaria

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from mala aria bad air

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of malaria was in 1740

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malaria. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

malaria

noun
ma·​lar·​ia mə-ˈler-ē-ə How to pronounce malaria (audio)
: a disease caused by protozoan parasites in the red blood cells, passed from one individual to another by the bite of mosquitoes, and marked by periodic attacks of chills and fever
malarial adjective

Medical Definition

malaria

noun
ma·​lar·​ia mə-ˈler-ē-ə How to pronounce malaria (audio)
1
: an acute or chronic disease caused by the presence of sporozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium in the red blood cells, transmitted from an infected to an uninfected individual by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever that coincide with mass destruction of blood cells and the release of toxic substances by the parasite at the end of each reproductive cycle
malaria remains the greatest single cause of debilitation and death throughout the worldThe Journal of the American Medical Association
see falciparum malaria, vivax malaria
2
: any of various diseases of birds and mammals that are more or less similar to malaria of human beings and are caused by blood protozoans

More from Merriam-Webster on malaria

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