pox

1 of 2

noun

plural pox or poxes
1
a
: a virus disease (such as chicken pox) characterized by pustules or eruptions
b
archaic : smallpox
c
2
: a disastrous evil : plague, curse
a pox on him
poxy adjective

pox

2 of 2

verb

poxed; poxing; poxes

transitive verb

archaic
: to infect with a pox and especially with syphilis

Examples of pox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But the two that wildlife biologists are most concerned about are the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus), which spreads avian malaria, and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which spreads avian pox. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025 The pox formed everywhere on a person’s body — their eyes, down their throat, and across their skin. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 After two weeks, the pox usually began to scab. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 Witnesses recall seeing sufferers with so many pox on their faces that their features were no longer identifiable. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pox

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of pocks, plural of pock

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pox was circa 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pox. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

pox

noun
ˈpäks
: a disease (as chicken pox) that is caused by a virus and produces a rash on the skin

Medical Definition

pox

noun
plural pox or poxes
1
: a virus disease (as chicken pox) characterized by pustules or eruptions
2
archaic : smallpox
3

More from Merriam-Webster on pox

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!