gonorrhea

American  

[gon-uh-ree-uh] / ˌgɒn əˈri ə /

especially British, gonorrhoea

noun

Pathology.

1. a contagious, purulent inflammation of the urethra or the vagina, caused by the gonococcus.

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gonorrhea Scientific  

/ gŏn′ə-rē′ə /

1. A sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genital and urinary tracts, an acute discharge containing pus, and painful urination, especially in men. Women often have few or no symptoms.

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gonorrhea Cultural  

1. An acute and sexually transmitted disease, caused by bacteria that invade the mucous membranes of the genitals and urinary tract. In women, the disease can also spread to the cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, leading to chronic pelvic pain or infertility. In both sexes, the disease can spread to the joints and skin (or, more rarely, the heart or brain) if left untreated. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.

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Other Word Forms

• gonorrheal adjective
• gonorrheic adjective

Etymology

Origin of gonorrhea

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin, from Greek gonórrhoia; equivalent to gono- + -rrhea

Compare meaning

How does gonorrhea compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chlamydia vs. gonorrhea

Example Sentences

However, many health departments had already started offering doxy PEP due to the overwhelmingly positive response it showed in clinical trials, reducing chlamydia and gonorrhea by 70% and 50%, respectively.

From Salon

A new antibiotic, the first to be developed in decades, can cure gonorrhea infections at least as effectively as the most powerful current treatment, a large clinical trial has found.

From New York Times

The treatment is considered very effective at preventing chlamydia and syphilis, but may be less effective against gonorrhea; protection against gonorrhea may vary because some strains are resistant to doxycycline, Stewart said.

From Seattle Times

Between 2020 and 2021, the number of syphilis cases rose by 32 percent, while chlamydia and gonorrhea each rose by around 4 percent.

From Scientific American

Across the country, syphilis and gonorrhea have been on the rise — a longtime trend exacerbated by the interruption of preventative services as health agencies grappled with COVID-19.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• AIDS
• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• herpes
• syphilis
• the clap
• venereal disease