Ebola

American  

[ee-boh-luh, ih-boh-] / iˈboʊ lə, ɪˈboʊ- /

noun

1. Also called Ebola fever;.  Also called Ebola virus disease.  Also called Ebola hemorrhagic fever.  a usually fatal disease, a type of hemorrhagic fever, caused by the Ebola virus and marked by high fever, severe gastrointestinal distress, and bleeding.

2. Ebola virus.

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Ebola Cultural  

1. A highly lethal virus that causes massive internal hemorrhaging. It is thought that the virus originated in central Africa and was passed to humans from primates.

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This virus has been responsible for a greatly increased interest in and vigilance over new, exotic infectious diseases that are at risk of spreading rapidly, given the nature of modern jet transportation and bioterrorism (see also bioterrorism).

Etymology

Origin of Ebola

After Ebola River, Democratic Republic of the Congo, near which an outbreak of the disease occurred in 1976

Example Sentences

Scientists have already long linked wildlife trade to specific outbreaks such as HIV, Ebola and COVID-19.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

When two American aid workers in Liberia contracted Ebola, bringing them home required a risky airborne rescue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Together with co-first author Longlong Si, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral researcher in Ingber's lab, the researchers developed DoriVac vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

WHO has played a role in eradicating smallpox and tackling public health threats like polio, HIV, Ebola and tuberculosis.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

That many particles of airborne Ebola could easily hatch out of a single cell.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston