tuberculosis

/tʃuːˌbɜː(ɹ)kjʊˈləʊsɪs/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: tuberculoses

Meaning · English

An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by a species of mycobacterium, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mainly infecting the lungs where it causes tubercles characterized by the expectoration of mucus and sputum, fever, weight loss, and chest pain, and transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of bacteria.

Noun

Examples

With smallpox gone, tuberculosis is today the deadliest infectious disease on the planet.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “tuberculosis” mean?

An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by a species of mycobacterium, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mainly infecting the lungs where it causes tubercles characterized by the expectoration of mucus and sputum, fever, weight loss, and chest pain, and transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of bacteria.

Is “tuberculosis” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.