cholera

noun

chol·​era ˈkä-lə-rə How to pronounce cholera (audio)
: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals usually marked by severe gastrointestinal symptoms
especially : an acute diarrheal disease caused by an enterotoxin produced by a comma-shaped gram-negative bacillus (Vibrio cholerae synonym V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal (see proximal sense 2) part of the human small intestine

Examples of cholera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
First, physician John Snow traced a deadly cholera outbreak to contaminated water from London’s Broad Street pump. Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025 These floods triggered cholera outbreaks in camps where medical care is virtually nonexistent. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 Cases of cholera, for example, tend to increase following storm flooding. Devika Rao, theweek, 22 Nov. 2024 Lack of safe water perilous for children’s health Without access to safe water, children are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea which, without adequate treatment, can result in dehydration and death. Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cholera 

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cholera was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near cholera

Cite this Entry

“Cholera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cholera. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

cholera

noun
chol·​era ˈkäl-ə-rə How to pronounce cholera (audio)
: any of several diseases usually marked by severe vomiting and diarrhea

Medical Definition

cholera

noun
chol·​era ˈkäl-ə-rə How to pronounce cholera (audio)
: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals usually marked by severe gastrointestinal symptoms: as
a
: an acute diarrheal disease caused by an enterotoxin produced by various strains of a comma-shaped gram-negative bacterium of the genus Vibrio (V. cholerae synonym V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal part of the human small intestine see asiatic cholera
choleraic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cholera

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