Hib

noun

ˈhib

often attributive

: a serotype of haemophilus (Haemophilus influenzae type B) that causes bacterial meningitis and pneumonia especially in children

Hib disease

Hib vaccine

Examples of Hib 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.

New cases in unvaccinated kids feed concern that Hib may have a resurgence. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026 The disease, commonly called Hib, is a bacterial infection that can sometimes cause problems that are easy to treat. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026 According to the Times, Ladapo is still working with the state health department to repeal mandates for vaccines against: varicella (chickenpox); hepatitis B; pneumococcal bacteria; and Haemophilus influenzae type B, or Hib, a bacterium that can be deadly. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026 Like Ratner encountering his first patient with Hib, the German doctors had never seen diphtheria before. — Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Hib

Word History

Etymology

Hi- (from the species name Haemophilus influenzae) + type B

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Hib was in 1984

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hib. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

Hib

noun

ˈhib, ˌā-ˌchī-ˈbē

often attributive

: a serotype of a bacterium of the genus Haemophilus (H. influenzae type B) that causes bacterial meningitis and pneumonia especially in children

Hib disease

a Hib vaccine

see conjugate vaccine

Hib

noun

Examples of Hib in a Sentence

Word History

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Medical Definition

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