gonorrhea

[ gon-uh-ree-uh ]
See synonyms for gonorrhea on Thesaurus.com
nounPathology.
  1. a contagious, purulent inflammation of the urethra or the vagina, caused by the gonococcus.

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Origin of gonorrhea

1
First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin, from Greek gonórrhoia; equivalent to gono- + -rrhea
  • Also especially British, gon·or·rhoe·a .

Other words from gonorrhea

  • gon·or·rhe·al, adjective
  • gon·or·rhe·ic, adjective

Words Nearby gonorrhea

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gonorrhea in a sentence

Scientific definitions for gonorrhea

gonorrhea

[ gŏn′ə-rēə ]


  1. A sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the genital and urinary tracts, an acute discharge containing pus, and painful urination, especially in men. Women often have few or no symptoms.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for gonorrhea

gonorrhea

[ (gon-uh-ree-uh) ]


An acute and sexually transmitted disease, caused by bacteria that invade the mucous membranes of the genitals and urinary tract. In women, the disease can also spread to the cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, leading to chronic pelvic pain or infertility. In both sexes, the disease can spread to the joints and skin (or, more rarely, the heart or brain) if left untreated. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.