: 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
Bells of Kabul marked Farahani’s first shoot in nine months following a breather after Julia Ducournau’s Cannes 2025 Palme d’Or contender Alpha, taking inspiration from the early days of the AIDS pandemic.
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Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
In past years, PEPFAR has engaged in a months-long process with local governments, international organizations and others to develop strategic plans for how different countries and regions will combat HIV/AIDS over the next year or two.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
In 1985, Galeotti died from AIDS, leaving Armani as the company’s sole shareholder.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Armani and Galeotti worked at Armani together for nine years before Galeotti was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 and died the following year.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
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Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
In past years, PEPFAR has engaged in a months-long process with local governments, international organizations and others to develop strategic plans for how different countries and regions will combat HIV/AIDS over the next year or two.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
In 1985, Galeotti died from AIDS, leaving Armani as the company’s sole shareholder.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Armani and Galeotti worked at Armani together for nine years before Galeotti was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 and died the following year.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for AIDS
Cite this Entry
“AIDS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AIDS. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
AIDS
noun
: 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
: 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
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