diarrhea

or di·ar·rhoe·a

[ dahy-uh-ree-uh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an intestinal disorder characterized by abnormal frequency and fluidity of fecal evacuations.

diarrhea

/ dī′ə-rē′ə /

1. Excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces, usually a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder. Severe, prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration.

diarrhea

1. The frequent passage of abnormally watery feces , which is a sign of illness.

Other Words From

• diar·rheal diar·rheic di·ar·rhet·ic [dahy-, uh, -, ret, -ik], diar·rhoeal diar·rhoeic diar·rhoetic adjective
• anti·diar·rheal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diarrhea¹

1350–1400; Middle English diaria < Late Latin diarrhoea < Greek diárrhoia a flowing through, equivalent to diarrho- (variant stem of diarrheîn to flow through) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Bhatia sees microdosing as an option for clients who come to her office with the goal of losing 20 pounds or less or patients who have proved to be sensitive to the side effects of GLP-1, which include nausea, constipation, lack of energy and diarrhea.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Mullendore, epidemiologists from the state have found a recent increase in cases of a bacteria called campylobacter in the region, leading to an uptick in gastrointestinal illness characterized by vomiting and diarrhea.

From Slate

E. coli symptoms typically start three to four days after ingesting the bacteria and include stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

From Los Angeles Times

“Anyway,” Bagley added, “I've never had it before or since. And that was really fun the way that they introduced my character: I'm responsible for giving them both explosive diarrhea. And how could that possibly work out in any way for anybody to be friends with me?”

From Salon

The most common E. coli symptoms include stomach cramps and diarrhea, and they typically start three to four days after ingesting the bacteria.

From Los Angeles Times