malaria
noun
ma·lar·ia
mə-ˈler-ē-ə 
1
a
: a human disease that is caused by sporozoan parasites (genus Plasmodium) in the red blood cells, is transmitted by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever
b
: any of various diseases of birds and mammals caused by blood protozoans
2
Examples of malaria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although malaria remains a serious threat for some populations, new, more effective treatments have since entered the market—these days, quinine is mostly relegated to tonic water.
—
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
There were 263 million cases of malaria and 597,000 deaths in 2023 – nearly all of them in Africa, according to World Health Organization data.
—Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Children under 5 years old accounted for about three-quarters of malaria deaths in the region.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Gavi has also been instrumental in the 2024 rollout of the first routine malaria vaccine in Africa.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for malaria
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Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
There were 263 million cases of malaria and 597,000 deaths in 2023 – nearly all of them in Africa, according to World Health Organization data.
—Olivia Kemp, CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Children under 5 years old accounted for about three-quarters of malaria deaths in the region.
—semafor.com, 8 July 2025
Gavi has also been instrumental in the 2024 rollout of the first routine malaria vaccine in Africa.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for malaria
Cite this Entry
“Malaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malaria. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malaria
noun
ma·lar·ia
mə-ˈler-ē-ə
: a disease caused by protozoan parasites in the red blood cells, passed from one individual to another by the bite of mosquitoes, and marked by periodic attacks of chills and fever
Medical Definition
malaria
noun
ma·lar·ia
mə-ˈler-ē-ə
1
: an acute or chronic disease caused by the presence of sporozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium in the red blood cells, transmitted from an infected to an uninfected individual by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever that coincide with mass destruction of blood cells and the release of toxic substances by the parasite at the end of each reproductive cycle
malaria remains the greatest single cause of debilitation and death throughout the world—The Journal of the American Medical Association
see falciparum malaria, vivax malaria
The Journal of the American Medical Association2
: any of various diseases of birds and mammals that are more or less similar to malaria of human beings and are caused by blood protozoans
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