trachoma

noun

tra·​cho·​ma trə-ˈkō-mə How to pronounce trachoma (audio)
: a chronic contagious bacterial conjunctivitis marked by inflammatory granulations on the conjunctival surfaces, caused by a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), and commonly resulting in blindness if left untreated

Examples of trachoma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Merck and Pfizer have made important drug donations to tackle diseases such as onchocerciasis and trachoma. Sonia Shah, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2011 There, she was told about how limited access to clean water and sanitation can lead to trachoma, and some of the work being undertaken to screen and treat those with the condition at a primary eye care clinic. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023 Nicholle was a master researcher of infectious diseases and made many discoveries regarding the pathology and epidemiology of brucellosis, leishmaniasis, measles, rinderpest, scarlet fever, Mediterranean spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, trachoma and tuberculosis. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2012 Vanuatu is the first Pacific Island country free from trachoma. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Nov. 2022 The communal environment of boarding schools spread tuberculosis and trachoma, an eye disease. Brenda J. Child, Star Tribune, 29 July 2021 Both are on track to be certified as having eliminated trachoma by the World Health Organisation. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 29 Oct. 2019 This debate is familiar territory to trachoma researchers, including those at the Proctor Foundation, which works to prevent blindness. Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 10 May 2018 Azithromycin has been administered prophylactically for two decades to communities in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia en masse to prevent trachoma, a bacterial infection that causes blindness. Betsy McKay, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trachoma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek trachōma, from trachys rough

First Known Use

circa 1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trachoma was circa 1693

Dictionary Entries Near trachoma

Cite this Entry

“Trachoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trachoma. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trachoma

noun
tra·​cho·​ma trə-ˈkō-mə How to pronounce trachoma (audio)
: a serious contagious eye disease that is marked by swelling of the conjunctiva, is caused by a bacterium, and often results in blindness if left untreated

Medical Definition

trachoma

noun
tra·​cho·​ma trə-ˈkō-mə How to pronounce trachoma (audio)
: a chronic contagious conjunctivitis marked by inflammatory granulations on the conjunctival surfaces, caused by a bacterium of the genus Chlamydia (C. trachomatis), and commonly resulting in blindness if left untreated
trachomatous adjective

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