leprosy
noun
lep·ro·sy
ˈle-prə-sē 
1
: a chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) affecting especially the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
called also Hansen's disease
2
: a morally or spiritually harmful influence
Examples of leprosy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Monroe County hasn’t recorded a leprosy case in more than 10 years.
—
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Advanced cases of leprosy cause facial features resembling that of a lion in humans.
—Robert A. Schwartz, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
Both malaria and leprosy are considered tropical and sub-tropical diseases, so Florida is a likely candidate to host such troublesome infections.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2023
On the Marshall Islands, Dr. Palafox regularly saw cases of tuberculosis and Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy.
—Seiji Yamashita, ABC News, 18 July 2023
Of those cases, 34 percent of them were locally acquired, meaning leprosy is potentially becoming endemic in the state.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2023
The good news is that most people actually aren’t at risk of contracting leprosy.
—Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 4 Aug. 2023
The area now makes up nearly one in five leprosy cases detected in the US.1
Historically, Florida has not been known as a leprosy hotspot.
—Korin Miller, Health, 4 Aug. 2023
The list also includes dengue fever, leprosy, and chikungunya.
—Paula Andalo | Kff Health News, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2023
Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Advanced cases of leprosy cause facial features resembling that of a lion in humans.
—Robert A. Schwartz, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
Both malaria and leprosy are considered tropical and sub-tropical diseases, so Florida is a likely candidate to host such troublesome infections.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2023
On the Marshall Islands, Dr. Palafox regularly saw cases of tuberculosis and Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy.
—Seiji Yamashita, ABC News, 18 July 2023
Of those cases, 34 percent of them were locally acquired, meaning leprosy is potentially becoming endemic in the state.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2023
The good news is that most people actually aren’t at risk of contracting leprosy.
—Erica Sweeney, Men's Health, 4 Aug. 2023
The area now makes up nearly one in five leprosy cases detected in the US.1
Historically, Florida has not been known as a leprosy hotspot.
—Korin Miller, Health, 4 Aug. 2023
The list also includes dengue fever, leprosy, and chikungunya.
—Paula Andalo | Kff Health News, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leprosy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near leprosy
Cite this Entry
“Leprosy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leprosy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leprosy
noun
lep·ro·sy
ˈlep-rə-sē
: a disease caused by a bacterium and marked by slow-growing spreading swellings accompanied by loss of sensation, wasting away of muscles, and by deformities
called also Hansen's disease
Medical Definition
leprosy
noun
lep·ro·sy
ˈlep-rə-sē
plural leprosies
: a chronic infectious disease that is caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae), affects especially the skin and peripheral nerves, and is characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread and are accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
About 12 million people worldwide have leprosy, a disfiguring, chronic infection that damages nerves, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.—Harvard Health Letter
Harvard Health LetterThe good news is that leprosy is relatively easy to diagnose and cure. It is caused by the microbe Mycobacterium leprae, which produces telltale symptoms of enlarged nerves and light-coloured patches of numb skin on a patient's face or extremities.—Bryn Nelson, New Scientist
Bryn Nelson, New ScientistLeprosy is actually the least infectious of the major communicable diseases.—Sandra Dallas, Business Week
Sandra Dallas, Business WeekLeprosy … is progressive and causes the growth of widely distributed lumps on the skin and thickening of the skin and nerves. Severe cases are characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis.—Insight
Insightcalled also hansenosis, Hansen's disease, lepra
see lepromatous leprosy, tuberculoid leprosyLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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