diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

1

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools (see stool entry 1 sense 3a)

symptoms include fever, nausea, and diarrhea

2

: excessive flow

verbal diarrhea

diarrheal

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-əl 

adjective

diarrheic

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ik 

adjective

diarrhetic

ˌdī-ə-ˈre-tik 

adjective

Synonyms

• Delhi belly
• flux
• Montezuma's revenge
• runs
• trots
• turista

Examples of diarrhea in a Sentence

The symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, and diarrhea.

I was taken with severe diarrhea while attending the conference.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sometimes, the flu-like illness is preceded by diarrhea or other GI symptoms. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 4 Jan. 2025

Fewer Side Effects: Common side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can be dose-dependent, so some believe that smaller doses may reduce these adverse reactions. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 3 Jan. 2025

Listeriosis generally causes food poisoning symptoms including fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting, that should pass within a few days. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause people to experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. —James Powel, The Tennessean, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia, from diarrhein to flow through, from dia- + rhein to flow — more at stream

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diarrhea

• traveler's diarrhea

Kids Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements

Medical Definition

diarrhea

noun

di·​ar·​rhea

variants or chiefly British diarrhoea

ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools