strangles

noun

stran·gles ˈstraŋ-gəlz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: an infectious febrile disease of horses caused by a streptococcus (Streptococcus equi) and marked especially by inflammation and congestion of mucous membranes of the respiratory tract

Examples of strangles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The plant is harmless to people but strangles landscapes with overgrowth strong enough to uproot trees, decreasing overall biodiversity in forests. —

Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 21 Sep. 2022 The weight of what’s left unsaid strangles interactions. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022 Since strangles is easily transmitted between horses, vaccination is an important tool for minimizing the spread of this disease. —

Texas A&m University, Houston Chronicle, 20 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strangles.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

plural of obsolete strangle act of strangling

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of strangles was circa 1706

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Strangles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strangles. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

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Medical Definition

strangles

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

stran·gles -gəlz

: an infectious febrile disease of horses and other equines that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus (S. equi), is characterized by inflammation and congestion of mucous membranes and a tendency to swelling and suppuration of the intermaxillary and cervical lymph nodes, usually affects young animals, has a low mortality rate, and confers subsequent immunity after one attack