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.
In 1832, when a cholera pandemic reached New York City, clergy called for a national day of fasting and prayer. — Jim Downs, STAT, 30 Oct. 2026 While there's not enough research to know exactly how common avian cholera is, the disease has been on the radar of scientists for decades. — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026 The outbreak has disrupted essential health services that are already underfunded and overstretched and has shifted attention away from other disease outbreaks the country is battling, such as cholera. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 This was driven in part by concern over the prevalence of diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, and cholera. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cholera

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "acute gastroenteritis," borrowed from Greek choléra — more at choler

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cholera was in 1601

Phrases Containing cholera

Browse Nearby Words

choler
cholera
cholera belt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cholera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cholera. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal part of the human small intestine see asiatic cholera
b
: fowl cholera
c
: hog cholera
choleraic
ˌkäl-ə-ˈrā-ik How to pronounce cholera (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cholera

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cholera

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