varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌver-ə-ˈse-lə 

ˌva-rə-

: chicken pox

Examples of varicella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The decision does not affect guidance for the separate MMR and varicella vaccines, however, and the ACIP did not recommend that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines be administered in three different shots. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

The panel also declined to recommend the MMRV vaccine — a combination measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox (varicella) shot — for children 12 months through 3 years. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Sep. 2025

The previous day, the panel recommended that children under 4 should not be given the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella, commonly known as chickenpox. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025

But about 85% of parents opt to give their children the stand-alone measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and a separate varicella shot, according to data presented at Thursday’s meeting. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from vari- (in variola variola) + Medieval Latin -cella, diminutive suffix (extracted from nouns such as nāvicella, diminutive of Latin nāvicula "boat," diminutive of nāvis "ship")

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for varicella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• cinderella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• salmonella

Medical Definition

varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌvar-ə-ˈsel-ə 

: chicken pox