Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
plague
noun
/pleɪɡ/
Definition
A contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever, weakness, and the formation of buboes; often associated with historical outbreaks and epidemics.
Examples
- The plague swept through the city, affecting thousands.
- Historically, the Black Death was one of the most devastating plagues in human history.
- He felt like his worries were a plague on his mind.
Meaning
Plague refers to both a specific disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, and more generally to any widespread affliction or calamity.
Synonyms
- epidemic
- pestilence
- affliction
- scourge
