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

In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles. —Rebecca Schein, The Conversation, 7 May 2025

With support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, UNICEF is bolstering Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). —Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Rates have stagnated in the last few years and lag far behind usage of other common adolescent immunizations to prevent meningococcal disease (88.4%) and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (89%). —Lisa Doggett, NPR, 12 Mar. 2025

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

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