noma

American  

[noh-muh] / ˈnoʊ mə /

noun

Pathology.

plural

nomas

1. a gangrenous ulceration of the mouth or genitalia, occurring mainly in debilitated children.

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noma British  

/ ˈnəʊmə /

noun

1. a gangrenous inflammation of the mouth, esp one affecting malnourished children

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Etymology

Origin of noma

1825–35; < New Latin, Latin nomē a sore, ulcer < Greek nomḗ a feeding, grazing (akin to némein to feed, graze, consume)

Example Sentences

The noma "touch" owes much to fermentation -- which can render even pine edible -- as well as to its sophisticated broths.

From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025

In early 2026, noma will relocate to Los Angeles for a few months.

From Barron's • Nov. 2, 2025

WHO’s listing comes after years of advocacy to raise awareness about the disease, including a January request from Nigeria and 32 other countries with significant numbers of noma cases.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 20, 2023

"To continue being noma, we must change. Therefore, dear guests and friends, we have some exciting news to share," the restaurant announced in an Instagram post on Monday.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2023

You see, she’s only a noma de ploom which we uses when we wants to 147 rile somebody.

From The Coming of the Law by Seltzer, Charles Alden