tetanus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical/formal in primary meaning; metaphorical use is literary/figurative.
Quick answer
What does “tetanus” mean?
A serious bacterial disease causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness, often triggered by a contaminated wound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A serious bacterial disease causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness, often triggered by a contaminated wound.
A state of prolonged muscular contraction; in common usage, can metaphorically describe rigidity or inflexibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'tetanus shot' for vaccination. 'Lockjaw' is a common synonym in both, but slightly more informal.
Connotations
Universally associated with danger from rusty metal/soil-contaminated wounds. Strong public health awareness in both regions.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in medical and general preventive health contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tetanus” in a Sentence
contract tetanusdevelop tetanusprevent tetanusimmunise/immunize against tetanusdie of/from tetanusgive someone a tetanus shotVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tetanus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The patient showed classic tetanic spasms.
American English
- The muscle response was tetanic in nature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in workplace health & safety contexts (e.g., 'Ensure tetanus vaccinations are up-to-date for site workers').
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health literature.
Everyday
Most common in healthcare contexts (vaccinations, wound care advice).
Technical
Precise medical term referring to the disease caused by Clostridium tetani. Includes terms like tetanospasmin (the neurotoxin).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tetanus”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tetanus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tetanus”
- Mispronunciation: /tiːˈtænəs/ is incorrect.
- Misspelling: 'tetenus', 'tatanus'.
- Using as a general term for any infection from a cut.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, tetanus is not contagious. It is caused by bacteria entering the body through wounds, not spread between people.
'Lockjaw' is a common name for tetanus, describing the characteristic symptom of jaw muscle stiffness and spasms.
Typically every 10 years for adults, or sooner after a high-risk wound if the last dose was more than 5 years prior.
It is less likely but possible if the object causing the cut is contaminated with tetanus spores. Any breach in the skin can be a potential entry point.
A serious bacterial disease causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness, often triggered by a contaminated wound.
Tetanus is usually medical/formal in primary meaning; metaphorical use is literary/figurative. in register.
Tetanus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛtənəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛtənəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) stiff as a tetanus case (rare, metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TETANus makes muscles TENSE and TIGHT.'
Conceptual Metaphor
RIGIDITY IS DISEASE / INFLEXIBILITY IS ILLNESS (e.g., 'His thinking was tetanic in its refusal to adapt.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common preventative measure against tetanus?