rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbe-lə How to pronounce rubella (audio)
: an acute contagious viral disease that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (Rubivirus rubellae) and milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy : german measles

Examples of rubella in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Snyder explained that her son was due for the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, in addition to the chickenpox vaccine. — Karen Brown, NPR, 30 July 2026 Measles cases are rising in the US MMR vaccinations among kindergarten students, which prevent measles, mumps and rubella, have declined, according to the CDC. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 30 July 2026 California requires most school-age children to receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, allowing exemptions only for specific medical conditions. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 25 July 2026 The American Academy of Pediatrics has accused federal leaders of downplaying the risk of measles and offering misinformation about the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. — Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rubella

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of rubellus reddish, from ruber red — more at red

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubella was in 1866

Rhymes for rubella

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Browse Nearby Words

rub elbows with
rubella
rubellite
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Cite this Entry

“Rubella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubella. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

rubella

noun
ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə How to pronounce rubella (audio)
: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a matonavirus (Rubivirus rubellae) : german measles see maternal rubella

More from Merriam-Webster on rubella

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rubella

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