mononucleosis

noun

mono·​nu·​cle·​o·​sis ˌmä-nə-ˌnü-klē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce mononucleosis (audio)
-ˌnyü-
: an abnormal increase of mononuclear white blood cells in the blood
specifically : infectious mononucleosis

Examples of mononucleosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Related: Meghan O’Rourke on a medical system not built for chronic illness — and the ‘invisible kingdom’ that could spur change Rivka Solomon, a patient-advocate involved in the NIH effort, first came down with mononucleosis as a college student in 1983. Isabella Cueto, STAT, 15 Mar. 2024 Van Horn said sophomore right-hander Ben Bybee, who contracted mononucleosis just after a hamstring issue, could be back next week. Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2024 Belt also was slowed in spring training a year ago after coming off bouts with mononucleosis and COVID-19. John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2022 The study also found that dormant viruses, such as the one that causes mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr, come alive again in long Covid patients. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2023 Leatherwood was activated on Saturday after missing six games because of mononucleosis. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 31 Oct. 2022 The Bears restored the former Alabama All-American to their 53-player active roster on Friday after Leatherwood missed six games because of mononucleosis. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 28 Oct. 2022 The virus can cause mononucleosis or symptoms that may be dismissed as a cold. CBS News, 26 Dec. 2022 Those include cytomegalovirus, which can affect people across their life span, and Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis and was recently implicated in multiple sclerosis. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 28 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mononucleosis.' 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

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary mononuclear + New Latin -osis

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mononucleosis was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near mononucleosis

Cite this Entry

“Mononucleosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mononucleosis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

mononucleosis

noun
mono·​nu·​cle·​o·​sis -ˌn(y)ü-klē-ˈō-səs How to pronounce mononucleosis (audio)
: an abnormal increase of mononuclear white blood cells in the blood
specifically : infectious mononucleosis

More from Merriam-Webster on mononucleosis

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!