leptospirosis

noun

lep·​to·​spi·​ro·​sis ˌlep-tə-spī-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce leptospirosis (audio)
plural leptospiroses ˌlep-tə-spī-ˈrō-ˌsēz How to pronounce leptospirosis (audio)
: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals that are caused by infection with leptospires

Examples of leptospirosis 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.
Metagenomic testing on his cerebrospinal fluid ultimately found Leptospira, the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 These include leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can cause flu-like symptoms, which people can contract by swimming in freshwater puddles, ponds, or streams contaminated with animal urine. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026 But the rafters’ symptoms also match leptospirosis, NBC says. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026 How To Safely Clean Up Mouse Droppings Mouse droppings can carry infectious bacteria and viruses like hantavirus, Salmonella, and leptospirosis. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leptospirosis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leptospirosis was circa 1926

Rhymes for leptospirosis

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Browse Nearby Words

leptospire
leptospirosis
Leptosporangiatae
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Cite this Entry

“Leptospirosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leptospirosis. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

leptospirosis

noun
lep·​to·​spi·​ro·​sis ˌlep-tə-spī-ˈrō-səs How to pronounce leptospirosis (audio)
plural leptospiroses -ˌsēz How to pronounce leptospirosis (audio)
: any of several diseases of humans and domestic animals (as cattle and dogs) that are caused by infection with spirochetes of the genus Leptospira

called also lepto

see stuttgart disease, weil's disease

More from Merriam-Webster on leptospirosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leptospirosis

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