cholera

noun

chol·​era ˈkä-lə-rə 

: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals usually marked by severe gastrointestinal symptoms

especially : an acute diarrheal disease caused by an enterotoxin produced by a comma-shaped gram-negative bacillus (Vibrio cholerae synonym V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal (see proximal sense 2) part of the human small intestine

Examples of cholera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sudan cholera threatens thousands of lives A cholera outbreak in Sudan threatens the lives of tens of thousands of refugees already enduring one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. —semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025

By the time Nabarro was involved cholera had killed at least 9,393 people and sickened more than 790,840 in the Caribbean country. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025

In 2023 alone, Gavi assisted in immunizing 69 million children against diseases, including measles, diphtheria and cholera. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

In 1856, Costa Ricans defeat Walker, but cholera devastates the land. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cholera

• Asiatic cholera
• cholera morbus
• hog cholera

Kids Definition

cholera

noun

chol·​era ˈkäl-ə-rə 

: any of several diseases usually marked by severe vomiting and diarrhea

Medical Definition

cholera

noun

chol·​era ˈkäl-ə-rə 

: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals usually marked by severe gastrointestinal symptoms: as

a

: an acute diarrheal disease caused by an enterotoxin produced by various strains of a comma-shaped gram-negative bacterium of the genus Vibrio (V. cholerae synonym V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal part of the human small intestine see asiatic cholera

b

: fowl cholera

c

: hog cholera

choleraic

ˌkäl-ə-ˈrā-ik 

adjective