rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbe-lə 

: an acute contagious viral disease that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (Rubivirus rubellae) and milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy : german measles

Examples of rubella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Requirements for vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping-cough), diphtheria, and polio would require legislation to change. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026

Health experts have underscored that the best protection against the disease is the vaccine, either given alone or as part of an MMR shot or a measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

For example, the MMR shot for measles, mumps and rubella can’t be given until a child is a year old. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

Numerous studies have shown the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is extremely safe and effective. —Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of rubellus reddish, from ruber red — more at red

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rubella

• brucella
• candela
• capella
• chlorella
• flagella
• glabella
• lamella
• marcella
• mustela
• novella
• patella
• predella

Kids Definition

rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə 

: german measles

Medical Definition

rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə 

: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a matonavirus (Rubivirus rubellae) : german measles see maternal rubella