rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbe-lə How to pronounce rubella (audio)
: an acute contagious viral disease that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (Rubivirus rubellae) and milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy : german measles

Examples of rubella 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.
Most cases — 94% — have occurred in unvaccinated people or people whose vaccination status wasn't known, while another 3% happened in people who had received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Newborns are not eligible for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine; the first dose is recommended at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 Coverage for measles, mumps, rubella, polio and whooping cough fell in more than half of American states during the 2025-26 school year. — A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 The order particularly emphasizes a need to split the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) shot into three separate inoculations. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rubella

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of rubellus reddish, from ruber red — more at red

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubella was in 1866

Rhymes for rubella

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Browse Nearby Words

rub elbows with
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rubellite
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Cite this Entry

“Rubella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubella. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

rubella

noun
ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə How to pronounce rubella (audio)
: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a matonavirus (Rubivirus rubellae) : german measles see maternal rubella

More from Merriam-Webster on rubella

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rubella

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