rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbe-lə 

: an acute contagious viral disease that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (Rubivirus rubellae) and milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy : german measles

Examples of rubella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Supporters of the rule change also spoke against the COVID vaccine and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), repeating unfounded claims, such as that doctors make money from vaccines and that vaccines cause autism. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

The state also expanded the pool of health professionals ​allowed to administer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines as cases rise in rural communities. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2026

Influenza vaccines are less effective in preventing infections than other vaccines such as the one for measles, mumps and rubella, which the CDC says prevents measles in about 97 percent of cases when patients have received two doses. — Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2026

Legislative action is needed to remove the requirements for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, polio, diphtheria, rubeola and tetanus vaccines. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of rubellus reddish, from ruber red — more at red

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rubella

• brucella
• candela
• capella
• chlorella
• flagella
• glabella
• lamella
• marcella
• mustela
• novella
• patella
• predella

Kids Definition

rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə 

: german measles

Medical Definition

rubella

noun

ru·​bel·​la rü-ˈbel-ə 

: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a matonavirus (Rubivirus rubellae) : german measles see maternal rubella