bluetongue

American  

[bloo-tuhng] / ˈbluˌtʌŋ /

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. a viral disease of sheep and sometimes cattle, transmitted by biting insects and characterized by high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the face and tongue, and cyanosis of the tongue.

---

bluetongue ¹ British  

/ ˌbluːˈtʌŋ /

noun

1. an Australian lizard, Tiliqua scincoides , having a cobalt-blue tongue

---

bluetongue ² British  

/ ˌbluːˈtʌŋ /

noun

1. vet science a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants transmitted by arthropods and characterized by reproductive problems or vasculitis. Sheep, which are most frequently affected, develop swelling of the face and a cyanotic tongue

---

Etymology

Origin of bluetongue

First recorded in 1860–65; blue + tongue

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bluetongue

Skelly said she was considering vaccinating her ewes and lambs against bluetongue virus - a disease spread by biting midges that had previously been confined to Africa.

From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2026

Mallaghan said there was "a lot of fear" in the farming community with added pressure such as bluetongue and bird flu.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025

He encouraged farmers to be "vigilant" and "aware of the signs of bluetongue".

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025

Daera veterinary officer Ignatius McKeown said it was "difficult to say at this stage" how many cases of bluetongue will be found.

From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025

Wales' chief vet Richard Irvine said bluetongue, a virus transmitted by midge bites that affects cattle, sheep and goats, was "a potentially devastating disease".

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025