AIDS

noun \ ˈādz \

Definition of AIDS

: 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

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Origin and Etymology of aids

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1982

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

AIDS Defined for English Language Learners

AIDS

noun

Definition of AIDS for English Language Learners

: a serious disease of the immune system that is caused by infection with a virus

AIDS Defined for Kids

AIDS

noun \ ˈādz \

Definition of AIDS for Students

: a serious disease of the human immune system in which large numbers of the cells that help the body fight infection are destroyed by the HIV virus carried in the blood and other fluids of the body

Medical Dictionary

AIDS

noun \ ˈādz \

medical Definition of AIDS

: 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