: an acute contagious viral disease that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (Rubivirus rubellae) and milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy : german measles
Examples of rubella in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The affected data include childhood immunization rates against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis, chicken pox and flu; and rates for 13 year olds and expectant mothers.
—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Across all Tarrant County schools, almost 93% of kindergartners were vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in the 2025-26 school year, down from almost 94% the year before.
—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
In 1971, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine became available, protecting against all three contagious viral diseases in a single shot.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR or MMRV, is 97% effective after two doses and 93% effective after one, according to LA County Public Health.
—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
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Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Across all Tarrant County schools, almost 93% of kindergartners were vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in the 2025-26 school year, down from almost 94% the year before.
—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
In 1971, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine became available, protecting against all three contagious viral diseases in a single shot.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR or MMRV, is 97% effective after two doses and 93% effective after one, according to LA County Public Health.
—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rubella
Cite this Entry
“Rubella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubella. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rubella
noun
ru·bel·la
rü-ˈbel-ə 
Medical Definition
rubella
noun
ru·bel·la
rü-ˈbel-ə
: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a matonavirus (Rubivirus rubellae) : german measles see maternal rubella
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