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
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
Students receiving a third dose of polio vaccine after the 4th birthday are not required to receive additional doses
3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine
4 doses of DTaP or another combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
—Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
By the numbers: The number of children receiving three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis — an important benchmark for global immunization coverage — stalled at 84% last year (108 million).
—Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 16 July 2024
Walking barefoot on sidewalks or inside public spaces like stores and restaurants can expose you to harsh temperatures, sharp objects, pollutants and germs that can lead to burns and painful infections like tetanus, warts and hand, foot, mouth disease, Parthasarathy says.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tetanus 
Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2024
Students receiving a third dose of polio vaccine after the 4th birthday are not required to receive additional doses
3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine
4 doses of DTaP or another combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
—Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024
By the numbers: The number of children receiving three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis — an important benchmark for global immunization coverage — stalled at 84% last year (108 million).
—Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 16 July 2024
Walking barefoot on sidewalks or inside public spaces like stores and restaurants can expose you to harsh temperatures, sharp objects, pollutants and germs that can lead to burns and painful infections like tetanus, warts and hand, foot, mouth disease, Parthasarathy says.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 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 19 Aug. 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