measles

noun

mea·sles ˈmē-zəlz

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: an acute contagious disease that is caused by a morbillivirus (species Measles morbillivirus) and is marked especially by an eruption of distinct red circular spots

called also rubeola

: any of various eruptive diseases (such as German measles)

[Middle English mesel infested with tapeworms, literally, leprous, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin misellus leper, from Latin, wretch, from misellus, diminutive of miser miserable] : infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues

Examples of measles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The guidance came as part of a Health Alert issued by the CDC this week, warning Americans about rising measles cases linked to international travel. —

Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 22 June 2023 Over the last decade, the year that saw the highest number of measles cases nationally was 2019. —

Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2023 After the measles case was identified, Asbury University officials said Friday the university is working with Jessamine County Health Department officials to ensure all precautions are taken to mitigate any further spread. —

Jennie Key, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2023 One dose of the MMR vaccine 93% effective at preventing measles infection. —

Katia Hetter, CNN, 8 Mar. 2023 The fatal fall is one of at least 57 Ute student deaths, from a devastating measles outbreak, accidents and other causes, documented by The Tribune through federal reports and coverage by Utah newspapers. —

Sheila McCann, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 July 2023 The federal government started funding childhood vaccinations after a measles outbreak in the early 1990s, and now half of all shots for children are paid for by the government. —

Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 28 June 2023 By that September, the island nation was in the grip of a measles outbreak that eventually took the lives of more than 80 people. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2023 Though no other measles cases have been linked to the event so far, the public health response is likely to stretch on for several more weeks, at least. —

Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'measles.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English meseles, plural of mesel measles, spot characteristic of measles; akin to Middle Dutch masel spot characteristic of measles

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of measles was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Measles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/measles. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

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Kids Definition

measles

noun singular or plural

mea·sles ˈmē-zəlz

: a contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and red spots on the skin

also : any of several diseases (as German measles) that resemble measles

Medical Definition

measles

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

mea·sles ˈmē-zəlz

: an acute contagious disease that is caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus (species Measles morbillivirus), that commences with catarrhal symptoms, conjunctivitis, cough, and Koplik's spots on the oral mucous membrane, and that is marked by the appearance on the third or fourth day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually decline

called also rubeola

: any of various eruptive diseases (as German measles)

: infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues

specifically : infestation of cattle and swine with cysticerci of tapeworms that as adults parasitize humans compare measle