plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
a
: an acute contagious disease that is caused by a morbillivirus (species Measles morbillivirus) and is marked especially by an eruption of distinct red circular spots
called also rubeola
b
: any of various eruptive diseases (such as German measles)
2
[Middle English mesel infested with tapeworms, literally, leprous, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin misellus leper, from Latin, wretch, from misellus, diminutive of miser miserable]
: infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues
Examples of measles in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For starters, there is an active measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico that has resulted in over 150 cases with two deaths in unvaccinated individuals.
—
Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The Texas Tribune reports that a senior Texas health official told a state legislative committee that there was no known connection between the measles outbreak and undocumented immigrants.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
Experts recommended that everyone living in or near a measles outbreak make sure they’re vaccinated.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Most work in outbreak response, amid a huge measles outbreak in Texas and Bird Flu outbreaks across the country.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
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Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The Texas Tribune reports that a senior Texas health official told a state legislative committee that there was no known connection between the measles outbreak and undocumented immigrants.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
Experts recommended that everyone living in or near a measles outbreak make sure they’re vaccinated.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Most work in outbreak response, amid a huge measles outbreak in Texas and Bird Flu outbreaks across the country.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for measles
Articles Related to measles
Cite this Entry
“Measles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measles. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
measles
singular or plural noun
mea·sles
ˈmē-zəlz 
: a contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and red spots on the skin
also
: any of several diseases (as German measles) that resemble measles
Medical Definition
measles
noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
mea·sles
ˈmē-zəlz
1
a
: an acute contagious disease that is caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus (species Measles morbillivirus), that commences with catarrhal symptoms, conjunctivitis, cough, and Koplik's spots on the oral mucous membrane, and that is marked by the appearance on the third or fourth day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually decline
called also rubeola
b
: any of various eruptive diseases (as German measles)
2
: infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues
specifically
: infestation of cattle and swine with cysticerci of tapeworms that as adults parasitize humans compare measle
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