celiac disease

noun

: a chronic hereditary intestinal disorder in which an inability to absorb the gliadin portion of gluten results in the gliadin triggering an immune response that damages the intestinal mucosa

called also celiac sprue

Examples of celiac 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.
Namely, people with coconut allergies should avoid coconut aminos, while soy sauce isn’t suitable for people with gluten intolerance, celiac disease, or soy or wheat allergies. — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 21 Aug. 2026 Symptoms of celiac disease can be triggered by as little as 50mg of gluten. — Elizabeth MacBride, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The brand celebrated that fan feedback with a post on Instagram, sharing a handwritten letter from a young fan who has celiac disease. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026 The Blue Bloods actress was diagnosed with celiac disease around 15 years ago. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celiac disease

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of celiac disease was in 1911

Rhymes for celiac disease

See All Rhymes for celiac disease

Browse Nearby Words

celiac
celiac disease
celibacy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Celiac disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celiac%20disease. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

celiac disease

noun
: a chronic hereditary intestinal disorder in which an inability to absorb the gliadin portion of gluten results in the gliadin triggering an immune response that damages the intestinal mucosa

called also celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, nontropical sprue, sprue

More from Merriam-Webster on celiac disease

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about celiac disease

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All