river blindness

noun

: onchocerciasis

Examples of river blindness 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.
The drug is best known for treating river blindness in humans. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2026 The main drug for river blindness, ivermectin, kills the parasite in the larval stage. — Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2026 Countries in Africa and the Americas are pursuing an end to river blindness by 2035. — Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024 More than 99% of cases of river blindness occur in sub-Saharan Africa, where a number of countries are nearing elimination. — Patrick Adams, NPR, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for river blindness

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of river blindness was in 1952

Rhymes for river blindness

See All Rhymes for river blindness

Browse Nearby Words

river black oak
river blindness
river blue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“River blindness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/river%20blindness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

river blindness

noun
: a human disease of Africa and tropical America that is caused by a parasitic nematode worm passed on by the bite of a blackfly and that usually results in blindness if untreated

called also onchocerciasis

Medical Definition

river blindness

noun
riv·​er blindness ˈriv-ər- How to pronounce river blindness (audio)
: onchocerciasis

More from Merriam-Webster on river blindness

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about river blindness

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