strep throat

American

noun

Pathology.

an acute sore throat caused by hemolytic streptococci and accompanied by fever and prostration.

strep throat Scientific

/ strĕp /

Infection of the throat caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Symptoms usually include fever, redness of the throat, lymph node enlargement, and inflammation of the tonsils.

strep throat Cultural

A severe sore throat caused by a kind of streptococcus. Strep throat can be treated with antibiotics.

Etymology

Origin of strep throat

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"If you see spots at the back of your throat, that's definitely a sign that you've got strep throat and you might need some antibiotics," she adds.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2025

The first hospital diagnosed her with strep throat without investigating her sharp abdominal cramps.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2024

The British rock icon Rod Stewart canceled the planned 200th show of his long-running Las Vegas residency, citing strep throat.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2024

Demand for the common antibiotic, which is used for respiratory infections, strep throat and ear infections, spiked amid fears of a “triple-demic” last year, leading to shortages.

From Washington Times • Dec. 26, 2023

Ivy didn’t think June was talking about a cold or strep throat.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023