tetanus

noun

tet·​a·​nus ˈte-tə-nəs  ˈtet-nəs 

1

a

: an acute infectious bacterial disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin of a clostridium (Clostridium tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw

b

: the bacterium that causes tetanus

2

: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from rapidly repeated motor impulses

Examples of tetanus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tdap contains one full strength dose of the tetanus vaccine, and lesser doses of the diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines, per Healthline. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

The tetanus booster shot is recommended every 10 years. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025

Fewer Florida parents are fully vaccinating their kindergartners against measles, polio, tetanus and other highly contagious diseases that can get people seriously ill, federal and state data show. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025

The order also doesn’t mention other childhood vaccines that schools across the country require, like diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek tetanos, from tetanos stretched, rigid; akin to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

tetanus

noun

tet·​a·​nus ˈtet-ə-nəs 

1

: a dangerous infectious disease marked by contraction of the muscles especially of the jaws and caused by a poison made by a bacterium that usually enters the body through a wound compare lockjaw

2

: contraction of a muscle for a much longer time than normal that results from rapidly repeated motor nerve impulses

Medical Definition

tetanus

noun

tet·​a·​nus ˈtet-ᵊn-əs, ˈtet-nəs 

1

a

: an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles and especially of the muscles of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin produced by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw

b

: tetanus bacillus

2

: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from a series of motor impulses following one another too rapidly to permit intervening relaxation of the muscle