tetanus
noun
tet·a·nus
ˈte-tə-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
Then came widespread vaccination thanks to the 1962 Vaccination Assistance Act, which led to the practical eradication of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, smallpox, and measles.
—
TIME, 8 May 2024
She was given a tetanus shot and prescribed antibiotics, the records show.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tetanus 
TIME, 8 May 2024
She was given a tetanus shot and prescribed antibiotics, the records show.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tetanus
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tetanus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Tetanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetanus. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
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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