rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbe-lə How to pronounce rubella (audio)
: an acute contagious viral disease that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (Rubivirus rubellae) and milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy : german measles

Examples of rubella 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.
Many practicing pediatricians share this measles naivete because the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine eradicated measles in the United States in 2000. — Katie Lockwood, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026 The measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine is about 97% effective against measles after two doses, while a single dose is 93% effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026 Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine known as MMR, is nearly 97% effective against measles, according to the CDC. — Chandelis Duster, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 Two infants who were infected with measles have died in Pennsylvania this year, both too young to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rubella

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of rubellus reddish, from ruber red — more at red

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubella was in 1866

Rhymes for rubella

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Browse Nearby Words

rub elbows with
rubella
rubellite
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Cite this Entry

“Rubella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubella. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Medical Definition

rubella

noun
ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə How to pronounce rubella (audio)
: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a matonavirus (Rubivirus rubellae) : german measles see maternal rubella

More from Merriam-Webster on rubella

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rubella

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