plasmodium

noun

plas·​mo·​di·​um plaz-ˈmō-dē-əm How to pronounce plasmodium (audio)
plural plasmodia plaz-ˈmō-dē-ə How to pronounce plasmodium (audio)
1
a
: a motile multinucleate mass of protoplasm resulting from fusion of uninucleate amoeboid cells
also : an organism (such as a stage of a slime mold) that consists of such a structure
b
: syncytium sense 1
2
: a sporozoan parasite (genus Plasmodium) that is the causative agent of malaria

Examples of plasmodium 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.
This is one of five species of plasmodia that cause malaria and the one that does the bulk of the damage. — Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 The majority of malaria cases and fatalities are found in Africa, where plasmodium faciparum, the most dangerous and widespread malaria parasite, is common. — Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 12 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from plasm- + -odium thing resembling, from Greek -ōdēs like

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of plasmodium was in 1875

Rhymes for plasmodium

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Browse Nearby Words

Plasmodiophorales
plasmodium
plasmogamy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plasmodium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plasmodium. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

plasmodium

noun
plas·​mo·​di·​um plaz-ˈmōd-ē-əm How to pronounce plasmodium (audio)
plural plasmodia
-ē-ə
: a parasite that causes malaria

Medical Definition

plasmodium

noun
plas·​mo·​di·​um plaz-ˈmōd-ē-əm How to pronounce plasmodium (audio)
1
plural plasmodia -dē-ə How to pronounce plasmodium (audio)
a
: a motile multinucleate mass of protoplasm resulting from fusion of uninucleate amoeboid cells
also : an organism (as a stage of a slime mold) that consists of such a structure
b
: syncytium sense 1
2
a
capitalized : the type genus of the family Plasmodiidae of sporozoans that includes all the malaria parasites affecting humans
b
plural plasmodia : any individual malaria parasite

More from Merriam-Webster on plasmodium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plasmodium

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