malaria
noun
ma·lar·ia
mə-ˈler-ē-ə 
1
a
: a human disease that is caused by sporozoan parasites (genus Plasmodium) in the red blood cells, is transmitted by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever
b
: any of various diseases of birds and mammals caused by blood protozoans
2
Examples of malaria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Different strains of malaria arrived in South America, the Caribbean and the U.S. South in the 1600s.
—
Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
The study also offers a new insight into malaria’s identity.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 13 June 2024
The mosquito can transmit a number of fatal infections, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and EEE.
—Matthew Binnicker, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Why are mosquitoes are such a big threat Mosquitoes carry a number of viruses and parasites that can be harmful to human health, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus, and eastern equine encephalitis.
—Alice Park, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malaria 
Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
The study also offers a new insight into malaria’s identity.
—Melody Schreiber, NPR, 13 June 2024
The mosquito can transmit a number of fatal infections, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile and EEE.
—Matthew Binnicker, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Why are mosquitoes are such a big threat Mosquitoes carry a number of viruses and parasites that can be harmful to human health, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus, and eastern equine encephalitis.
—Alice Park, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malaria
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Cite this Entry
“Malaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malaria. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malaria
noun
ma·lar·ia
mə-ˈler-ē-ə
: a disease caused by protozoan parasites in the red blood cells, passed from one individual to another by the bite of mosquitoes, and marked by periodic attacks of chills and fever
Medical Definition
malaria
noun
ma·lar·ia
mə-ˈler-ē-ə
1
: an acute or chronic disease caused by the presence of sporozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium in the red blood cells, transmitted from an infected to an uninfected individual by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever that coincide with mass destruction of blood cells and the release of toxic substances by the parasite at the end of each reproductive cycle
malaria remains the greatest single cause of debilitation and death throughout the world—The Journal of the American Medical Association
see falciparum malaria, vivax malaria
The Journal of the American Medical Association2
: any of various diseases of birds and mammals that are more or less similar to malaria of human beings and are caused by blood protozoans
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