: 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
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With two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, a person has a 3% chance of getting the virus after exposure.
—
Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
For example, the rate of Wisconsin 2-year-olds who were up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was more than 88% in 2013, but fell under 80% in 2025 for the first time in more than a decade.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Mumps, which causes painful mouth swelling, is preventable with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
During his confirmation hearing last year, Bhattacharya said he was convinced by the data showing no connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism—a sentiment that Kennedy refused to convey during his own hearing.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
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Andrew Jones, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
For example, the rate of Wisconsin 2-year-olds who were up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was more than 88% in 2013, but fell under 80% in 2025 for the first time in more than a decade.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Mumps, which causes painful mouth swelling, is preventable with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
During his confirmation hearing last year, Bhattacharya said he was convinced by the data showing no connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism—a sentiment that Kennedy refused to convey during his own hearing.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 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 Mar. 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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