diphtheria

noun

diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə 

nonstandard

dip- 

: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system

diphtherial

dif-ˈthir-ē-əl 

nonstandard dip-

adjective

diphtheritic

ˌdif-thə-ˈri-tik 

nonstandard ˌdip-

adjective

Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, about 14% of Gavi's portfolio consists of vaccines that contain thimerosal in multi-dose vials, including the 5 in 1 pentavalent vaccine, the DTP vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and the hepatitis B vaccine. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026

Both schedules recommend that all children be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (better known as chickenpox). —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026

State law requires children entering school to be vaccinated against polio, measles, mumps and rubella and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. —Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026

In November 2025, the first round of a vaccination catch-up campaign aimed at children under 3 successfully protected over 14,000 kids against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, polio, rotavirus and pneumonia. —Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the toughness of the false membrane

First Known Use

circa 1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for diphtheria

• arteria
• bacteria
• criteria
• egeria
• listeria
• neisseria
• wisteria
• cafeteria
• cyanobacteria
• mycobacteria

Kids Definition

diphtheria

noun

diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə  dip- 

: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing

diphtheritic

ˌdif-thə-ˈrit-ik 

ˌdip-

adjective

Medical Definition

diphtheria

noun

diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə  dip- 

: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium (C. diphtheriae) which produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system

diphtherial

-ē-əl 

adjective