cholera

American  

[kol-er-uh] / ˈkɒl ər ə /

noun

1. Also called Asiatic cholera.  Pathology. an acute, infectious disease, endemic in India and China and occasionally epidemic elsewhere, characterized by profuse diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, etc.

2. Veterinary Pathology. any of several diseases of domesticated animals that are characterized by depression, sleepiness, lack of appetite, and diarrhea.

---

cholera British  

/ ˈkɒlərə /

noun

1. Also called: Asiatic cholera.   epidemic cholera.   Indian cholera.  an acute intestinal infection characterized by severe diarrhoea, cramp, etc: caused by ingestion of water or food contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio comma

---

cholera Scientific  

/ kŏl′ər-ə /

1. An infectious, sometimes fatal disease of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is spread from contaminated water and food and causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.

---

cholera Cultural  

1. An acute disease, and an infectious disease, caused by a kind of bacterium that affects the intestines. Transmitted by food or water that has been contaminated with raw sewage, cholera is often fatal and is characterized by severe vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse.

---

Other Word Forms

• choleraic
  adjective
• choleroid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cholera

First recorded in 1600–05 in sense “gastrointestinal disease” and in 1800–05 for its current meaning cholera ( def. 1 ); from Latin: “disease caused by bile,” from Greek choléra; see choler

Explanation

Cholera is a contagious disease that affects the small intestine. In places without safe, clean drinking water, cholera is common and can be deadly, especially for children. This infectious disease is caused by bacteria found in dirty water or food cooked in unsanitary conditions. Around the world, about five million people get cholera each year, mainly in countries that can't afford modern sanitation. Cholera kills about 150,000 annually, many of them very young children. The root of cholera means "bile;" in ancient Greek medicine, choler was one of the four humors and considered to be the cause of "irascibility or temper."

Example Sentences

"Some diets will be more successful than others, but if you try this for pathogens other than cholera, I suspect we'll also see a beneficial effect," Hsiao said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

When this system is suppressed, cholera struggles to kill competing bacteria and cannot easily take over the intestinal environment.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

It even overwhelms his dawning understanding of Venice’s spreading cholera outbreak, as he concludes he would rather stay on vacation than save the boy—or himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

In Al Kawd, Fadhli and Jamil have already detected a few cases of cholera in the village.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Experts believe that cholera will continue to spike and ebb in Haiti until safe public water systems are available throughout the country.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French