: 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
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The measles-mumps-and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, is required to attend schools in Florida, however the state does allow for religious exemptions.
—
Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
The full two-dose MMR vaccine (a combo shot that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) is 97 percent effective at preventing measles, typically for life.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The vaccine is known as the MMR vaccine, or the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 86% effective against mumps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 3 Feb. 2026
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Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
The full two-dose MMR vaccine (a combo shot that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) is 97 percent effective at preventing measles, typically for life.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The vaccine is known as the MMR vaccine, or the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 86% effective against mumps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 3 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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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