: 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
Charities highlighted on the show included One Simple Wish, which helps foster children; The Heifer Project International, which fights world hunger; and God's Love We Deliver, which focuses on addressing hunger in communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, among others.
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Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
Hujar, who died of AIDS in 1987, only became celebrated as an artist after his death.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
The percentage of the lot’s sale amount that’s earmarked for fueling AIDS research is currently unclear, but most any slice of at least $20 million should move the needle.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2025
His Windsor home has been the setting for countless lavish parties and galas over the decades, many of which benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
—Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
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Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025
Hujar, who died of AIDS in 1987, only became celebrated as an artist after his death.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
The percentage of the lot’s sale amount that’s earmarked for fueling AIDS research is currently unclear, but most any slice of at least $20 million should move the needle.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2025
His Windsor home has been the setting for countless lavish parties and galas over the decades, many of which benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
—Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 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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