gonorrhea

noun

gon·​or·​rhea ˌgä-nə-ˈrē-ə 

: a contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membrane caused by the gonococcus

called also clap

gonorrheal

ˌgä-nə-ˈrē-əl 

adjective

Examples of gonorrhea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In November 2023, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first at-home tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia, which public health experts hope might also help combat the spread of STIs. —Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024

Yes, STIs like trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea may cause yellow discharge. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 29 Sep. 2024

Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea in women can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which may lead to chronic pelvic pain, according to the World Health Organization. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2024

How to Start Treatment The testing and treatment of gonorrhea can often be administered at the same visit and facility. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, morbid loss of semen, from Greek gonorrhoia, from gon- + -rrhoia -rrhea

First Known Use

circa 1526, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gonorrhea

noun

gon·​or·​rhea ˌgän-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: a contagious inflammatory venereal disease of the genital and urinary organs that is caused by the gonococcus

called also clap

gonorrheal

-ˈrē-əl 

adjective

Medical Definition

gonorrhea

noun

gon·​or·​rhea

variants or chiefly British gonorrhoea

ˌgän-ə-ˈrē-ə 

: a contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membrane caused by the gonococcus

called also clap

gonorrheal adjective

or chiefly British gonorrhoeal

-ˈrē-əl