bubonic plague

noun

: plague caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and characterized especially by the formation of buboes

Examples of bubonic plague in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are three main forms of plague—bubonic plague, septicemic plague and pneumonic plague. — Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

Humans typically contract bubonic plague after being bitten by an infected rodent flea or by handling an infected animal. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The pneumonic plague is caused by the same bacteria as the bubonic plague and can spread from person to person through airborne respiratory droplets, typically from sneezing or coughing. — Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

That pandemic, often referred to as the bubonic plague, was spread by fleas living on rodents and other animals in close proximity to — and in the same grim sanitary conditions as — people. — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bubonic plague

• craig
• vague

Kids Definition

bubonic plague

noun

: a form of plague that is spread especially from rats to humans by fleas and is marked by chills, fever, weakness, and buboes

Medical Definition

bubonic plague

noun

: plague caused by a bacterium of the genus Yersinia (Y. pestis synonym Pasteurella pestis) and characterized especially by the formation of buboes compare pneumonic plague