measle

noun mea·sle \ ˈmē-zəl \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Definition of measle

: a cysticercus tapeworm larva; specifically : one found in the muscles of a domesticated mammal

Recent Examples of measle from the Web

The measles can also cause serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, or swelling of the brain.

— rita giordano, Philly.com, "Second suspected measles case detected in South Jersey," 5 July 2018
And in those states, the high exemption rate is putting kids at risk for contracting and spreading vaccine-preventable pediatric diseases including whooping cough and measles.

— brittany shoot, Fortune, "These Are the Riskiest Cities and Counties For Infectious Disease Epidemics," 14 June 2018
Kansas' worst measles outbreak in almost 30 years is now officially over.

— andy marso, kansascity, "One measles outbreak down, one to go: Kansas' worst in three decades is over," 6 June 2018
More information about measles can be found here from the New York department of health.

— CBS News, "New York State health officials issue measles warning for tri-state area," 22 Apr. 2018
The law was prompted by an outbreak of measles in 2014 that was traced to youngsters at Disneyland who had not been vaccinated.

— bob egelko, SFChronicle.com, "California’s mandatory-vaccination law survives court test," 3 July 2018
The World Health Organization recommends a 95 percent level of vaccination for measles but Romania has one of the lowest European rates — less than 84 percent.

— NBC News, "Romania's measles outbreak kills dozens of children," 13 June 2018
According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2015, nearly 92% of kids ages 19 to 35 months received a vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

— brett molina, USA TODAY, "These 15 U.S. cities are hotspots for kids not getting vaccines," 13 June 2018
Schools and day care centers usually require proof of such vaccines as TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and others.

— anna groves, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Want to prevent your children from getting cancer? Doctors push HPV vaccine," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'measle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of measle

singular of measles

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1863

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

measle

noun mea·sle \ ˈmē-zəl \

medical Definition of measle

: cysticercus; specifically : one found in the muscles of a domesticated mammal

Learn More about measle

See words that rhyme with measle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up measle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

measle

Definition of measle

Recent Examples of measle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of measle

Medical Dictionary

measle

medical Definition of measle

Learn More about measle

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

'Cliché': We’ve Heard It All Before

Some Notes On 'Asshat'

A Few Rounds with 'Happy Hour'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

The Eponym Quiz

Semantic Drift Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Add Diction

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Trending: WaPo: Doocy 'Incomparably Sequacious'

Ghost Word

measle

Definition of measle

Recent Examples of measle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of measle

Medical Dictionary

measle

medical Definition of measle

Learn More about measle

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Trending: WaPo: Doocy 'Incomparably Sequacious'

Ghost Word