: an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by spirochetes (genus Borrelia, especially B. burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. scapularis), that is usually characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders
called also
Lyme\
ˈlīm 
\
Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lyme disease is spread through ticks, and there were especially low numbers of Lyme disease cases reported in 2014-2017.
—
CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Biel’s tribute came two days after Timberlake’s first performance since announcing his Lyme disease diagnosis, taking the stage for a special tribute to Pharrell Williams on January 29 at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event in Los Angeles.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 Feb. 2026
Scientists have found that the prevalence of one invasive plant, Japanese barberry, correlates with the presence of ticks that transmit Lyme disease.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Amid the cuts, Kennedy has proposed or funded some new research on topics related to his MAHA goals, including autism, Lyme disease and food additives.
—Ali Swenson, Fortune, 30 Dec. 2025
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CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Biel’s tribute came two days after Timberlake’s first performance since announcing his Lyme disease diagnosis, taking the stage for a special tribute to Pharrell Williams on January 29 at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event in Los Angeles.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 Feb. 2026
Scientists have found that the prevalence of one invasive plant, Japanese barberry, correlates with the presence of ticks that transmit Lyme disease.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Amid the cuts, Kennedy has proposed or funded some new research on topics related to his MAHA goals, including autism, Lyme disease and food additives.
—Ali Swenson, Fortune, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Lyme disease
Cite this Entry
“Lyme disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lyme%20disease. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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Lyme disease
noun
: a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium transmitted by some ticks, that is often characterized at first by a spreading red patch on the skin, and that may result in joint pain and disorders of the heart and nervous system if left untreated
Etymology
from Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was first reported
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