zoster

noun

zos·​ter ˈzä-stər How to pronounce zoster (audio)

Examples of zoster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It’s caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), which is the same virus that causes chickenpox, Nath said. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2023 Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is caused by varicella zoster, the same virus that causes shingles and chickenpox. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 25 May 2023 The most effective way to prevent shingles is to get vaccinated with the recombinant zoster vaccine called Shingrix, Szema said. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 25 May 2023 In early March, Feinstein announced that she was hospitalized for shingles, roughly two weeks after coming down with the painful, blistering rash that heralds the reawakening of the long-dormant varicella zoster virus. Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023 So there’s full paralysis on this side of my face The syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head near the inner ear. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 16 Mar. 2023 Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chicken pox in children and shingles in adults. L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 3 Mar. 2023 Ramsay Hunt syndrome is not contagious; however, reactivation of the varicella zoster virus can cause chicken pox in people who have never had chicken pox or haven’t been vaccinated for it. L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 3 Mar. 2023 The Cleveland Clinic explains that Ramsay Hunt is a complication of either shingles or chickenpox, which are caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Bykristine Gill, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zoster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin zōstēr, borrowed from Greek zōstḗr "belt, girdle, shingles," from zōs-, base of zṓnnȳmi, aorist ézōsa "(I) gird(ed)" + -tēr, suffix of instruments — more at zone entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zoster was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near zoster

Cite this Entry

“Zoster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoster. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

zoster

noun
zos·​ter ˈzäs-tər How to pronounce zoster (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on zoster

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