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
The affected data include childhood immunization rates against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis, chicken pox and flu; and rates for 13 year olds and expectant mothers.
—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
The introduction of vaccines dramatically reduced certain diseases, including smallpox, polio, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
In addition, research has shown the shingles vaccine is associated with a lower dementia risk than the influenza and Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccines.
—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Adolescents should then receive a Tdap or tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis booster at age 11 or 12.
—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
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Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
The introduction of vaccines dramatically reduced certain diseases, including smallpox, polio, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
In addition, research has shown the shingles vaccine is associated with a lower dementia risk than the influenza and Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccines.
—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Adolescents should then receive a Tdap or tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis booster at age 11 or 12.
—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for diphtheria
Cite this Entry
“Diphtheria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diphtheria. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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