tularemia

noun

tu·​la·​re·​mia ˌtü-lə-ˈrē-mē-ə 

ˌtyü-

: an infectious disease especially of wild rabbits, rodents, some domestic animals, and humans that is caused by a bacterium (Francisella tularensis), is transmitted especially by the bites of insects, and in humans is marked by symptoms (such as fever) of toxemia

called also rabbit fever

tularemic

ˌtü-lə-ˈrē-mik 

ˌtyü-

adjective

Examples of tularemia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Germ war is nothing new, but the threat is changing Biological warfare dates back at least as far as the 14th century BC, far before anyone knew that germs caused disease, when the Hittites sent diseased rams to their enemies to infect them with the dangerous bacterial infection tularemia. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

The rabbit infected with tularemia was found in Tuscola, a small community south of Champaign, following weeks of reports of ill and dead squirrels in nearby Urbana. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, tularemia is caused by Francisella tularensis, bacteria that are mostly found in rodents, rabbits and hares. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025

The letter notes some recognizable threats, such as anthrax, tularemia, Ebola, plague, and botulism. —Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Tulare County, California

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tularemia

• anaemia
• anemia
• artemia
• leukaemia
• leukemia
• pyaemia
• toxaemia
• toxemia
• uremia
• viremia
• academia
• acidemia

Kids Definition

tularemia

noun

tu·​la·​re·​mia ˌt(y)ü-lə-ˈrē-mē-ə 

: a disease especially of rodents, wild rabbits, human beings, and some domestic animals that is caused by a bacterium and passed on by the bites of insects or ticks

Medical Definition

tularemia

noun

tu·​la·​re·​mia

variants or chiefly British tularaemia

ˌt(y)ü-lə-ˈrē-mē-ə 

: an infectious disease especially of wild rabbits, rodents, some domestic animals, and humans that is caused by a bacterium (Francisella tularensis), is transmitted especially by the bites of insects, and in humans is marked by symptoms (as fever) of toxemia

called also rabbit fever

tularemic adjective

or chiefly British tularaemic

-mik