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

Though often seen as an allegory for the AIDS crisis, in the context of the MOAD show the piece can take on a different interpretation. —Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025

The nonprofit group was started in 1991, near the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, when a group of friends brought a tray of lasagna to a neighbor who was suffering and isolated. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025

Noting how a rainbow flag, pink bow and a red bow are signs of LGBTQ rights, breast cancer awareness, and HIV/AIDS, respectively, Norton said there is no symbol that is associated with mental health awareness. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025

This novel of obsession, with the AIDS epidemic in the background, but where AIDS is never mentioned, a passionate book about people and the city in all its innocence and desperation. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 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