tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈte-tə-nəs 
ˈtet-nəs
ˈtet-nəs
1
a
: an acute infectious bacterial disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin of a clostridium (Clostridium tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw
b
: the bacterium that causes tetanus
2
: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from rapidly repeated motor impulses
Examples of tetanus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Back then, pharmaceutical companies faced hundreds of lawsuits alleging that the vaccine protecting kids from whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus caused unrelenting seizures that led to severe disabilities.
—
Patricia Callahan, CNN Money, 18 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
Only 81% of young children received the shots that protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
This study looked at children in the west African country of Guinea-Bissau who had been given the DTP vaccine — for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, three potentially fatal diseases.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 1 July 2025
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Patricia Callahan, CNN Money, 18 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
Only 81% of young children received the shots that protect against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
This study looked at children in the west African country of Guinea-Bissau who had been given the DTP vaccine — for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, three potentially fatal diseases.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tetanus
Cite this Entry
“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈtet-ə-nəs
1
: a dangerous infectious disease marked by contraction of the muscles especially of the jaws and caused by a poison made by a bacterium that usually enters the body through a wound compare lockjaw
2
: contraction of a muscle for a much longer time than normal that results from rapidly repeated motor nerve impulses
Medical Definition
tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈtet-ᵊn-əs, ˈtet-nəs
1
a
: an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles and especially of the muscles of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin produced by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw
b
2
: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from a series of motor impulses following one another too rapidly to permit intervening relaxation of the muscle
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