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

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

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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