swimmer's ear

noun

: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, and discharge and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected usually with a bacterium

Examples of swimmer's ear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While most swimmer's ear cases are bacterial in origin, a subset of people develop a fungal infection, which requires different treatment. —Cathie Ericson, Health, 23 May 2024

This bacteria is the red flag of common bacteria that affects children leading to rashes, itchiness, and swimmer's ear. —Medgina Saint-Elien, House Beautiful, 22 June 2023

Otitis externa, more commonly known as swimmer's ear, was the most common ailment, accounting for 4.7 million or 65% of annual waterborne illnesses and 20% of hospitalizations. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 16 Dec. 2020

Meanwhile, Neanderthals seem more than twice as likely to suffer swimmer's ear (about 48%). —Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 19 Aug. 2019

In modern human populations, some people are more prone to swimmer's ear than others. —Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 19 Aug. 2019

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends this approach to prevent swimmer's ear. —Houston Chronicle, 8 July 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

swimmer's ear

noun

: redness, swelling, and pain of the ear canal that typically occurs when water trapped in the ear canal during swimming becomes infected usually with bacteria

Medical Definition

swimmer's ear

noun

swim·​mer's ear ˈswim-ərz- 

: inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, discharge, and sometimes hearing loss and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected with a bacterium (as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus) or rarely with a fungus