AIDS

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

Examples of AIDS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s what made Reagan’s handling of the AIDS crisis so insidious. —Lz Granderson, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Cultivated by Jarman from 1986, when he was diagnosed with AIDS, until his death in 1994, its unfenced shrubs and wildflowers have been well documented by photographers both professional and amateur. —Ella Riley-Adams Jamie Sims Alice Newell-Hanson Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Caitie Kelly MacKenzie Oster, New York Times, 6 June 2024

After her crowning, Vega vowed to continue working towards research and awareness for HIV/AIDS. —Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2008 for his work on AIDS relief in Africa. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 3 June 2024

Depression Due to an Illness Coping with a serious chronic disease, like heart disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), and HIV/AIDS, can cause depression. —Karen Pallarito, Health, 2 June 2024

The return to neutral tones carried her through to the end of that year, making appearances both at Playboy’s 50th Anniversary and the MAC AIDS Fund VIVA Glam V parties. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 31 May 2024

Those values led him to work with the AAPI community during the height of the AIDS pandemic and, in recent years, address anti-Asian hate. —Sabrina Bodon, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024

With guests present at the The Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc affair including Michelle Yeoh, Andie MacDowell, Heidi Klum, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Colman Domingo, the evening went on to raise $16 million for amfAR, which dedicates the funds to AIDS research. —Carita Rizzo, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing AIDS

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

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