aids

1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of aid entry 1

plural of aid entry 2

AIDS

2 of 2

noun

ˈādz 

: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (such as Kaposi's sarcoma) that become life-threatening and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (such as semen) during sexual intercourse

called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Examples of aids in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2011, the World Health Organization appointed Peng a Goodwill Ambassador for tuberculosis and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026

The film depicts the Chariots of Fire star as he is cast in a National Theatre production of Hamlet while also dying of AIDS. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

For its part in covering the AIDS epidemic, Vanity Fair was honored with the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award on Thursday. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026

The dress is being auctioned for the first time since 1997, when Diana sold it and other garments to raise money for AIDS charities. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

First Known Use

Noun

1982, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aids

• AIDS-related complex
• AIDS virus
• anti-AIDS

Rhymes for aids

• aides
• blades
• braids
• cades
• fades
• glades
• grades
• jades
• maids
• nsaids
• plaids
• raids

Kids Definition

AIDS

noun

ˈādz 

: a serious disease of the human immune system marked by destruction of a large proportion of the helper T cells in the body due to infection by the HIV virus commonly transmitted especially in blood and semen

Medical Definition

AIDS

noun

ˈādz 

: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by a reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some that become life threatening (as Kaposi's sarcoma) and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (as semen) during sexual intercourse

called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome