severe acute respiratory syndrome

noun

: sars

Examples of severe acute respiratory syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the 2003 outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, when Chinese officials faced accusations of covering up the true number of infections, Chinese leaders have repeatedly warned officials not to cover up or delay reporting of deaths and cases. —Liyan Qi, WSJ, 21 Jan. 2022

The pathogen that causes the disease known as SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, appeared out of nowhere in 2002, jumping from bats to a mongoose-like mammal known as the Asian palm civet and then to humans in China’s southeastern Guangdong province. —David Willman, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

severe acute respiratory syndrome

noun

: sars

In late 2002 and early 2003 epidemiologists in Ottawa, Ontario were able to … identify and help stop the spread of an outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) that began in China.

—Larry Brilliant, Forbes