tetanus

noun

tet·​a·​nus ˈte-tə-nəs How to pronounce tetanus (audio)
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Records at all three facilities also revealed that not all animals had received their six-month respiratory boosters, which inoculate horses against rabies, tetanus, equine flu and other diseases. Anastasia Hufham, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 Finally, Yost said the language fails to describe important exceptions in the statute, including keeping in place requirements for most K-12 students to provide proof of immunization against mumps, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, rubeola, and rubella. Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 9 Dec. 2021 In 2021, as many as 25 million children missed out on at least one of the routine immunization shots for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, and about as many missed their first measles shot. Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 15 July 2022 This includes continuing to deliver essential immunizations against other diseases such as measles, diphtheria and tetanus; distributing bed nets to prevent malaria; providing care for mothers and newborns; and providing children with nutrition supplements like vitamin A tablets. Matshidiso Moeti, STAT, 5 Sep. 2021 Among the services being offered are free glucose, cholesterol, BMI and blood pressure screenings and affordable immunizations, including COVID-19, flu, measles, mumps, pneumonia, tetanus, hepatitis, HPV, rubella, chicken pox/shingles and whooping cough, according to a news release. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2023 The Texas Department of State Health Services mandates that K-12 students get immunized for polio, tetanus, chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Gilbert Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Oct. 2021 The change adds Covid-19 vaccines to a long list of immunizations the CDC recommends, including measles, mumps, rubella, influenza and tetanus. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2023 In normal times, at least 94% of kindergarten students are vaccinated against measles, tetanus and other diseases. Karen Kaplanscience And Medicine Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tetanus.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetanus was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tetanus

Cite this Entry

“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

tetanus

noun
tet·​a·​nus ˈtet-ə-nəs How to pronounce tetanus (audio)
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 How to pronounce tetanus (audio)
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tetanus

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