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

diphtherial

dif-ˈthir-ē-əl 

 nonstandard  dip-

adjective

diphtheritic

ˌdif-thə-ˈri-tik 

 nonstandard  ˌdip-

adjective

Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Native numbers began to decline with the arrival of Spanish missionaries, who brought diseases for which Natives had no immunity, including smallpox, malaria and diphtheria. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024

These materials are combined with tetanus and diphtheria immunizations in two single vaccines: DTaP (which is used for infants older than two months and young children) and Tdap (which is used for older children and adults, and for people in the final trimester of pregnancy). —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024

Babies are given the DTaP vaccine, which helps protect against three diseases: pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2024

The vaccine works well against diphtheria and tetanus, but is less effective over time for pertussis. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the toughness of the false membrane

First Known Use

circa 1851, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

diphtheria

noun

diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə  dip- 

: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing

diphtheritic

ˌdif-thə-ˈrit-ik 

ˌdip-

adjective

Medical Definition

diphtheria

noun

diph·​the·​ria dif-ˈthir-ē-ə  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

diphtherial

-ē-əl 

adjective