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

Steinberg was passionate about philanthropy, supported HIV/AIDS research and patient care, including Macy’s Passport events raising money for HIV education, research and patient care, the AIDS Research Institute at UCSF and HIV clinics in Africa. —David Moin, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025

In response, Swinton spoke about her own experiences losing friends during the AIDS crisis. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 20 Oct. 2025

Wouldn’t a lot of casual homophobia in 1990 be rooted in the terror of AIDS? —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025

My Brother Kincaid’s brother, Devon Drew, died of AIDS in 1996 at age 33. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for AIDS

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

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