measle

noun

mea·​sle ˈmē-zəl 

: a cysticercus tapeworm larva

specifically : one found in the muscles of a domesticated mammal

Examples of measle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Somewhere in South Carolina, a child too young for a second dose of the measles vaccine contracted the virus from someone whose parents had decided, for reasons unrelated to medicine, that vaccination was optional. — A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

In a statement, HHS and the CDC expressed condolences to the families and communities affected by the measles deaths. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Two people who were not vaccinated against measles died of the disease in Pennsylvania, public health officials said on Tuesday—these are the first measles fatalities in the state in 35 years. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026

Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, Pennsylvania health officials said, and a rash follows a few days later, starting on the head and spreading downward. — Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

singular of measles

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for measle

• biodiesel
• easel
• weasel

Medical Definition

measle

noun

mea·​sle ˈmē-zəl 

: cysticercus

specifically : one found in the muscles of a domesticated mammal