Measles meaning : Rubeola, an acute highly contagious disease, often of childhood, caused by Measles virus, of genus Morbillivirus, featuring a spreading red skin rash, fever, runny nose, cough and red eyes Any of several other similar diseases, such as German measles. A disease of pigs and cattle, caused by larval tapeworms. A disease of trees, in which the leaves are covered in spots.