diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə 
nonstandard
dip-
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory problems and, if untreated, may be fatal in serious cases.
—
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
In 2024, 89% of infants globally, equivalent to about 115 million, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, and 85%, roughly 109 million, completed all three doses.
—Dr. Michelle Lee, ABC News, 15 July 2025
This doubling of global coverage of vaccines has prevented countless cases of tuberculosis, measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
In 2023 alone, Gavi assisted in immunizing 69 million children against diseases, including measles, diphtheria and cholera.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
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Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
In 2024, 89% of infants globally, equivalent to about 115 million, received at least one dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine, and 85%, roughly 109 million, completed all three doses.
—Dr. Michelle Lee, ABC News, 15 July 2025
This doubling of global coverage of vaccines has prevented countless cases of tuberculosis, measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
In 2023 alone, Gavi assisted in immunizing 69 million children against diseases, including measles, diphtheria and cholera.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
Cite this Entry
“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: a contagious bacterial disease with fever in which the air passages become coated with a membranous layer that often obstructs breathing
Medical Definition
diphtheria
noun
diph·the·ria
dif-ˈthir-ē-ə
dip-
dip-
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium (C. diphtheriae) which produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
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