tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈte-tə-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
To keep newborns and infants safe, Schauer said pregnant individuals should get the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
—
Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 29 July 2024
There are two types of vaccines currently used to protect against whooping cough: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for babies and children younger age 7 and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines for older children, adults and pregnant women.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2024
For instance, worldwide coverage of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine was 84% in 2023, the same as in 2022, but below the 86% recorded in 2019.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Aug. 2024
Under state law, Maryland students are required to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis, among other diseases.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tetanus 
Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 29 July 2024
There are two types of vaccines currently used to protect against whooping cough: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine for babies and children younger age 7 and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines for older children, adults and pregnant women.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2024
For instance, worldwide coverage of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine was 84% in 2023, the same as in 2022, but below the 86% recorded in 2019.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Aug. 2024
Under state law, Maryland students are required to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis, among other diseases.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tetanus
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.
Articles Related to tetanus
Dictionary Entries Near tetanus
Cite this Entry
“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
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