diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

1

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools (see stool entry 1 sense 3a)

Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea.

2

: excessive flow

verbal diarrhea

diarrheal

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-əl 

adjective

diarrheic

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ik 

adjective

diarrhetic

ˌdī-ə-ˈre-tik 

adjective

Synonyms of diarrhea

• trots
• runs

Examples of diarrhea in a Sentence

The symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea.

I was taken with severe diarrhea while attending the conference.

Recent Examples on the Web

Overuse of heartburn and GERD medications can cause side effects such as headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, and constipation. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 9 Nov. 2025

Pumpkin can also help dogs and cats suffering from constipation or diarrhea, according to PetMD. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

As for gut health, colostrum has been most studied for preventing diarrhea, especially in travelers, Daniel Freedberg, MD, MS, a gastroenterologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and an expert with the American Gastroenterological Association, tells SELF. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 7 Nov. 2025

Symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other ailments. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia, from diarrhein to flow through, from dia- + rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diarrhea

• traveler's diarrhea

Rhymes for diarrhea

• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea
• coffea
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• maria
• medea

Kids Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements

Medical Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea

variants or chiefly British diarrhoea

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools