: a suddenly formed elevation of the skin surface : welt
especially : a flat burning or itching eminence on the skin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Why does a wheal develop after the monkeypox vaccine? Maggie O'neill, SELF, 26 Aug. 2022 The wheal was big enough that many allergists might have simply diagnosed it as a peanut allergy. Alice Callahan, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wheal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of wale entry 1

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wheal was in 1808

Dictionary Entries Near wheal

Cite this Entry

“Wheal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wheal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

: a suddenly formed elevation of the skin surface: as
a
: welt
especially : a flat burning or itching eminence on the skin
b
: the transient lump occurring at the site of injection of a solution before the solution is normally dispersed

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