stomach bug

noun

variants or less commonly stomach flu
plural stomach bugs also stomach flus
: a nonspecific usually contagious gastrointestinal illness that is marked by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping : gastroenteritis usually caused by a virus (such as a norovirus or rotavirus)
… suffering from a stomach bug and shin splints …—Sally Jenkins
… middle-of-the-night emergencies: pesky high fevers, dehydration, stomach flus.—Michael L. Diamond
—not used technically

Examples of stomach bug 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.
Electrolyte beverages can help replenish hydration after an intense workout or stomach bug. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026 His symptoms had transformed from a stomach bug to a bad stomach bug to something that looked a lot like meningitis. — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 Unlike many common stomach bugs that resolve on their own, severe or persistent Cyclospora infections typically require a prescription antibiotic, most often trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, to fully eliminate the parasite. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Investigators are continuing to examine what exactly caused the outbreak, which can lead to symptoms similar to a bad stomach bug for days or even weeks. — Brandon Gomez,laya Neelakandan,angelica Peebles, CNBC, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stomach bug

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stomach bug was in 1920

Rhymes for stomach bug

See All Rhymes for stomach bug

Browse Nearby Words

stomachache
stomach bug
stomacher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stomach bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stomach%20bug. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

stomach bug

noun
variants also stomach flu
: a nonspecific usually contagious gastrointestinal illness that is marked by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping : gastroenteritis usually caused by a virus (such as a norovirus or rotavirus)
—not used technically
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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