# cholera

/ˈkɑɫɝə/ (US) · /kˈɒləɹɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cholera
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a serious disease that causes severe stomach problems and dehydration. People usually catch it from drinking dirty water or eating contaminated food.

For teachers: an acute infectious disease of the small intestine, typically transmitted through contaminated water supplies. Characterised by severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration.

## Examples

- The city improved its water system to prevent cholera.
- After the earthquake, aid workers focused on providing clean water to stop the spread of cholera in the camps.
- Historical accounts of the 19th-century cholera pandemics highlight how the lack of modern sanitation allowed the bacteria to decimate urban populations within weeks of the first reported case.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the disease itself; can be countable when referring to specific outbreaks or strains.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.