Lyme disease

noun

: an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by spirochetes (genus Borrelia, especially B. burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. scapularis), that is usually characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders

called also Lyme\ ˈlīm How to pronounce Lyme disease (audio) \

Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Lyme disease wasn't discovered for another 20-some years after that. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 Young retired from music after a Lyme disease diagnosis in 2012 but later began performing again with his son, Tristan Young. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025 Bieber has been public about past health issues, including his mental health struggles, dealing with temporary facial paralysis in 2023 due to Ramsay Hunt syndrome and a Lyme disease diagnosis in 2020. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025 The model often uses social media as a way to address her treatment for Lyme disease and chronic disease. Julia Teti, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Lyme disease

Word History

Etymology

Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lyme disease was in 1979

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lyme disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lyme%20disease. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Lyme disease

noun
: a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium transmitted by some ticks, that is often characterized at first by a spreading red patch on the skin, and that may result in joint pain and disorders of the heart and nervous system if left untreated
Etymology

from Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was first reported

Medical Definition

Lyme disease

noun
: an acute inflammatory disease that is usually characterized initially by the skin lesion erythema migrans and by fatigue, fever, and chills and if left untreated may later manifest itself in cardiac and neurological disorders, joint pain, and arthritis and that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Borrelia (B. burgdorferi) transmitted by the bite of a tick especially of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini in the eastern and midwestern United States, I. pacificus especially in some parts of the Pacific coastal states of the United States, and I. ricinus in Europe)

called also Lyme, Lyme borreliosis

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