dysentery

noun

dys·​en·​tery ˈdi-sᵊn-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural dysenteries

1

: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood and usually caused by infection

2

: diarrhea

Examples of dysentery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clean water is crucial The Oregon Trail game made dysentery famous for an entire generation. — Elaine Reno, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Forms of slave knowledge, overlaid on Indigenous ones, were influential in treating dysentery and elaborating antidotes for poisonings. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

After Japan's surrender, the Kakitas suffered from dysentery and hair loss due to radiation poisoning. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Over 1 million people die from diarrheal illness such as dysentery every year. — Joseph Kim, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dissenterie, borrowed from Latin dysenteria (Medieval Latin desintiria, dissenteria), borrowed from Greek dysentería, from dys- dys- + éntera (neuter plural) "intestines" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at inter-

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dysentery

• amebic dysentery

Rhymes for dysentery

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

dysentery

noun

dys·​en·​tery ˈdis-ən-ˌter-ē 

1

: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood from the bowels

2

: diarrhea

Medical Definition

dysentery

noun

dys·​en·​tery ˈdis-ᵊn-ˌter-ē 

plural dysenteries

1

: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood and usually caused by infection

2

: diarrhea