strep throat

noun

: an inflammatory sore throat caused by hemolytic Group A streptococci and marked by fever, prostration, and toxemia

called also septic sore throat

Examples of strep throat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The typical ailments of childhood—day-care colds, strep throat, winter norovirus waves—would be joined by less familiar and often far more terrifying problems: the painful, swollen necks of mumps; the parching diarrhea of rotavirus; the convulsions of tetanus. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2025

Students were invited to hold prototypes and explore innovative technologies meant to solve health issues from strep throat to pancreatic cancer. —Gael Langdon, arkansasonline.com, 29 Jan. 2025

In extreme cases, the disease is much worse than strep throat or even scarlet fever. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Other risk factors for strep throat include infrequent handwashing, a weakened immune system, and seasonal changes. —Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

strep throat

noun

: a sore throat that is marked by inflammation of the throat and pharynx and by fever and weakness and is caused by infection with streptococci

Medical Definition

strep throat

noun

: an inflammatory sore throat caused by hemolytic Group A streptococci and marked by fever, prostration, and toxemia

called also septic sore throat, strep sore throat