-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
walking pneumonia
noun
: a usually mild pneumonia caused by a mycoplasma (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) and characterized by malaise, cough, and often fever
Examples of walking pneumonia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With walking pneumonia, any congestion may be short-lived and last less than 24 hours, says Lovins.
—Alice Park, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024
Plus, walking pneumonia cases are surging in the state's children, according to The Times-Picayune.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024
What exactly is walking pneumonia and why is it called that?
—Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 5 Oct. 2024
As noted above, the thing about walking pneumonia that distinguishes it from traditional pneumonia is the relative mildness of the symptoms.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024
How to prepare What are symptoms of walking pneumonia?
—Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 5 Oct. 2024
The increase in children ages 2 to 4 is particularly notable because walking pneumonia typically isn’t a leading driver of disease for this age group, according to the CDC.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
Children’s hospitals already strained Another respiratory disease known as walking pneumonia, caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is spreading rapidly among young children and children’s hospitals are feeling the strain.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
Infections are generally mild, and people may seem better than expected for those with a lung infection, hence the term walking pneumonia, the CDC said.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1888, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of walking pneumonia was
in 1888
Dictionary Entries Near walking pneumonia
Cite this Entry
“Walking pneumonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walking%20pneumonia. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
walking pneumonia
noun
: a usually mild pneumonia caused by a bacterium of the genus Mycoplasma (M. pneumoniae) and characterized by malaise, cough, and often fever
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share