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
Requirements for vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping-cough), diphtheria, and polio would require legislation to change.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine can prevent infections and reduce the likelihood of severe disease.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The repeal of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus vaccines, however, requires legislative action.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Crawling the walls Orson Welles learned to draw from his mother, who informally homeschooled the budding artist during his childhood, which was marked by grave illnesses including malaria and diphtheria.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
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Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
The diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine can prevent infections and reduce the likelihood of severe disease.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The repeal of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus vaccines, however, requires legislative action.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Crawling the walls Orson Welles learned to draw from his mother, who informally homeschooled the budding artist during his childhood, which was marked by grave illnesses including malaria and diphtheria.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
Cite this Entry
“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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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