cholera
noun
chol·era ˈkä-lə-rə 
: 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Thomas Mann conceived the plot for his classic novella set in a cholera epidemic, Death in Venice, during his stay on the island, which had once been riddled with malaria. 
Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2022 South Korean government officials believe the mysterious outbreak is likely to have been caused by either cholera or typhoid—both bacterial diseases contracted from contaminated water or food, Reuters reported. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Six years later, a cholera epidemic reached Mexico after killing more than a thousand people in Peru. Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2022 The port city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine is facing the risk of a cholera epidemic amid the destruction of water supplies and sanitation during the Russian invasion, city officials and health agencies warn. Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 9 June 2022 Whitewashing was in fact first introduced for hygiene reasons during a cholera outbreak in the 1930s, and then the aesthetic stuck. Bridget Arsenault, Forbes, 10 July 2022 In a news briefing Monday, Ukraine’s chief sanitary doctor, Ihor Kuzin, said national authorities began monitoring potential cholera outbreaks across the country on June 1. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 This week in 1832, the first U.S. cholera epidemic was reported in New York City. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2022 Residents have no access to adequate social or medical services in the city, which is at risk of a major cholera outbreak. Amy Cheng, Washington Post, 11 June 2022 See More
Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2022 South Korean government officials believe the mysterious outbreak is likely to have been caused by either cholera or typhoid—both bacterial diseases contracted from contaminated water or food, Reuters reported. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Six years later, a cholera epidemic reached Mexico after killing more than a thousand people in Peru. Allison Keeley, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2022 The port city of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine is facing the risk of a cholera epidemic amid the destruction of water supplies and sanitation during the Russian invasion, city officials and health agencies warn. Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 9 June 2022 Whitewashing was in fact first introduced for hygiene reasons during a cholera outbreak in the 1930s, and then the aesthetic stuck. Bridget Arsenault, Forbes, 10 July 2022 In a news briefing Monday, Ukraine’s chief sanitary doctor, Ihor Kuzin, said national authorities began monitoring potential cholera outbreaks across the country on June 1. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 This week in 1832, the first U.S. cholera epidemic was reported in New York City. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2022 Residents have no access to adequate social or medical services in the city, which is at risk of a major cholera outbreak. Amy Cheng, Washington Post, 11 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin
First Known Use
1601, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cholera
Kids Definition
cholera
noun
chol·era ˈkä-lə-rə
: a serious disease that causes 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
: fowl cholera
c
: hog cholera