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
Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Consequences of diphtheria include difficulty breathing, heart rhythm problems and occasionally death.
—
Thomas D. Elias, Orange County Register, 17 May 2024
Then came widespread vaccination thanks to the 1962 Vaccination Assistance Act, which led to the practical eradication of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, smallpox, and measles.
—TIME, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for diphtheria 
Thomas D. Elias, Orange County Register, 17 May 2024
Then came widespread vaccination thanks to the 1962 Vaccination Assistance Act, which led to the practical eradication of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, smallpox, and measles.
—TIME, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for diphtheria
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diphtheria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing
Medical Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
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
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