rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbe-lə 

: 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

Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine strongly prevent infection and halt the virus's spread. —Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

In November 2025, the first round of a vaccination catch-up campaign aimed at children under 3 successfully protected over 14,000 kids against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, polio, rotavirus and pneumonia. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Kentucky health officials suggest the best way to protect against measles is through the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. —Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Jan. 2026

Almost 8 in 10 MAHA parents were confident in the safety of the polio and measles, mumps and rubella shots. —Joseph Choi, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of rubellus reddish, from ruber red — more at red

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rubella

• brucella
• candela
• capella
• chlorella
• flagella
• glabella
• lamella
• marcella
• mustela
• novella
• patella
• predella

Kids Definition

rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə 

: german measles

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