rubella

American  

[roo-bel-uh] / ruˈbɛl ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a usually mild contagious viral disease characterized by fever, mild upper respiratory congestion, and a fine red rash lasting a few days: if contracted by a woman during early pregnancy, it may cause serious damage to the fetus.

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rubella British  

/ ruːˈbɛlə /

noun

1. Also called: German measles.  a mild contagious viral disease, somewhat similar to measles, characterized by cough, sore throat, skin rash, and occasionally vomiting. It can cause congenital defects if caught during the first three months of pregnancy

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rubella Scientific  

/ ro̅o̅-bĕl′ə /

1. See German measles

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rubella Cultural  

1. See German measles.

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Etymology

Origin of rubella

1880–85; < New Latin, noun use of neuter plural of Latin rubellus reddish, derivative of ruber red ¹; for formation see castellum

Compare meaning

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

• rubella vs. rubeola
• roseola vs. rubella

Example Sentences

The vaccine will be combined with the existing MMR jab, given at 12 and 18 months of age, which already helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination rates have declined in 78% of surveyed U.S. counties since the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

The American Academy for Pediatrics in late September criticized the change, which removed the option for toddlers to get a single shot that can protect against chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2025

The advisers also removed the government’s recommendation of a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, or chickenpox, for children under the age of 4, instead recommending the varicella shot be given separately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

All four of these traits apply to what Americans think of as the familiar acute epidemic diseases of childhood, including measles, rubella, mumps, pertussis, and smallpox.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond