kissing disease

noun

: infectious mononucleosis

Word History

Etymology

from the belief that it is frequently transmitted by kissing

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kissing disease was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near kissing disease

kissing dance

kissing disease

Kissinger

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Kissing disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kissing%20disease. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

kissing disease

noun
: infectious mononucleosis

More from Merriam-Webster on kissing disease

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kissing disease

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
collage with pinking shears decanter bustle sculling on a purple background
Name That Thing MegaQuiz: Vol. 5 Test your visual vocabulary!