tetanus

noun

tet·​a·​nus ˈte-tə-nəs How to pronounce tetanus (audio)
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 But anti-vaccine activists succeeded in loosening the state’s childhood vaccination policy, and last year families could for the first time seek religious exemptions for basic shots like MMR, tetanus, polio and others. Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2024 Rather, the list included tetanus, hepatitis B, chickenpox and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot, among others. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2024 Not everyone can get the Tdap vaccine as their booster shot for tetanus instead. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 After that, getting Tdap instead of the standard tetanus shot every 10 years will also reduce infections. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023 School officials focused on students in pre-K3, kindergarten, seventh and 11th grades, points at which students are supposed to have certain vaccines — including chickenpox and tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023 Penicillin is available by prescription and can treat gram-positive bacteria that cause illnesses such as strep throat, tetanus, and tonsillitis. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023 The Tdap vaccine protects newborns against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and has been recommended during pregnancy since 2011. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2023 By comparison, the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis jab (Tdap) that obstetricians give to their patients during pregnancy costs somewhere between $46 and $54 a dose. Helen Branswell, STAT, 6 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tetanus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek tetanos, from tetanos stretched, rigid; akin to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetanus was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tetanus

Cite this Entry

“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tetanus

noun
tet·​a·​nus ˈtet-ə-nəs How to pronounce tetanus (audio)
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 How to pronounce tetanus (audio)
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tetanus

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