: 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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Health experts have emphasized that the best protection against the disease is the vaccine, which can be given by itself, as part of an MMR vaccine or as part of the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) shot.
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Finch Walker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
In 2024-25, a dozen of California’s 58 counties reported overall immunization rates below 90%, and 15 counties reported measles-mumps-rubella vaccination rates below 95%.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
The situation has reached the point where the state’s health department is now recommending that parents consider an optional, early dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants younger than one year.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 7 May 2026
Such a therapy would be a boon to babies as the nation’s vaccination schedule does not specify a first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine until children are 12 to 15 months old.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
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Finch Walker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
In 2024-25, a dozen of California’s 58 counties reported overall immunization rates below 90%, and 15 counties reported measles-mumps-rubella vaccination rates below 95%.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
The situation has reached the point where the state’s health department is now recommending that parents consider an optional, early dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for infants younger than one year.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 7 May 2026
Such a therapy would be a boon to babies as the nation’s vaccination schedule does not specify a first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine until children are 12 to 15 months old.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 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 May. 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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