tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈte-tə-nəs 
ˈtet-nəs
ˈtet-nəs
1
a
: an acute infectious bacterial disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin of a clostridium (Clostridium tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw
b
: the bacterium that causes tetanus
2
: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from rapidly repeated motor impulses
Examples of tetanus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People also get booster shots for tetanus because antibody levels against the bacteria wane over time and if someone has a high-risk exposure—such as stepping on a rusty nail—doctors err on the side of vaccinating them afterward, Jhaveri says.
—
Chantelle Lee, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Adverse effects have been recorded for various forms of DTaP, the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, more than 94,000 times since the vaccine was made available in 1948.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
The vaccine for tetanus is included in a combination vaccine that also protects against diphtheria and pertussis (more commonly known as whooping cough).
—Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025
In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles.
—Rebecca Schein, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tetanus
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.
Chantelle Lee, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Adverse effects have been recorded for various forms of DTaP, the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough, more than 94,000 times since the vaccine was made available in 1948.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
The vaccine for tetanus is included in a combination vaccine that also protects against diphtheria and pertussis (more commonly known as whooping cough).
—Melissa Dahl, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2025
In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles.
—Rebecca Schein, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tetanus
Cite this Entry
“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈtet-ə-nəs
1
: a dangerous infectious disease marked by contraction of the muscles especially of the jaws and caused by a poison made by a bacterium that usually enters the body through a wound compare lockjaw
2
: contraction of a muscle for a much longer time than normal that results from rapidly repeated motor nerve impulses
Medical Definition
tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈtet-ᵊn-əs, ˈtet-nəs
1
a
: an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles and especially of the muscles of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin produced by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw
b
2
: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from a series of motor impulses following one another too rapidly to permit intervening relaxation of the muscle
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share