: 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 
\
Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Lyme disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lyme%20disease. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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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
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