: 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
Cases of cholera have surged globally after the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025
Ailments like cholera infantum, which is now understood to be caused by contaminated food and water, were especially deadly to babies.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
The organization keeps global stockpiles for vaccines against diseases such as Ebola and cholera and then deploys them during pandemics.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
Add to that widespread food insecurity and 2 million people displaced within the country, as well as the worst cholera outbreak since its independence.
—Kate Bartlett, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cholera
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Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025
Ailments like cholera infantum, which is now understood to be caused by contaminated food and water, were especially deadly to babies.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
The organization keeps global stockpiles for vaccines against diseases such as Ebola and cholera and then deploys them during pandemics.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025
Add to that widespread food insecurity and 2 million people displaced within the country, as well as the worst cholera outbreak since its independence.
—Kate Bartlett, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cholera
Cite this Entry
“Cholera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cholera. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cholera
noun
chol·era
ˈkäl-ə-rə 
: any of several diseases usually marked by severe vomiting and diarrhea
Medical Definition
cholera
noun
chol·era
ˈkäl-ə-rə
: 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 synonym V. comma) when it is present in large numbers in the proximal part of the human small intestine see asiatic cholera
b
c
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