tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈte-tə-nəs 
ˈtet-nəs
ˈtet-nəs
1
a
: an acute infectious bacterial disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles especially of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin of a clostridium (Clostridium tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw
b
: the bacterium that causes tetanus
2
: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from rapidly repeated motor impulses
Examples of tetanus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pertussis vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus, is given at two months, four months and six months.
—
Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 6 May 2025
There are two types of combination vaccines that protect against whooping cough, as well as diphtheria and tetanus.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
At a baby’s eight-week checkup, doctors recommend shots that protect against whooping cough, tetanus and polio, along with other infections that can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and heart damage.
—Isobel Whitcomb, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Imagine the pain and suffering if more parents ignore science and refuse to inoculate their children against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and rubella.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2025
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Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 6 May 2025
There are two types of combination vaccines that protect against whooping cough, as well as diphtheria and tetanus.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
At a baby’s eight-week checkup, doctors recommend shots that protect against whooping cough, tetanus and polio, along with other infections that can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and heart damage.
—Isobel Whitcomb, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Imagine the pain and suffering if more parents ignore science and refuse to inoculate their children against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles and rubella.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tetanus
Cite this Entry
“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈtet-ə-nəs
1
: a dangerous infectious disease marked by contraction of the muscles especially of the jaws and caused by a poison made by a bacterium that usually enters the body through a wound compare lockjaw
2
: contraction of a muscle for a much longer time than normal that results from rapidly repeated motor nerve impulses
Medical Definition
tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈtet-ᵊn-əs, ˈtet-nəs
1
a
: an acute infectious disease characterized by tonic spasm of voluntary muscles and especially of the muscles of the jaw and caused by an exotoxin produced by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. tetani) which is usually introduced through a wound compare lockjaw
b
2
: prolonged contraction of a muscle resulting from a series of motor impulses following one another too rapidly to permit intervening relaxation of the muscle
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