: 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
The Giants were the first professional sports team to host an HIV/AIDS awareness day, back in 1994.
—
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
The team was the first pro sports team to host an AIDS/HIV awareness day in 1994 and the first team to incorporate the Pride rainbow flag in its uniforms.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 19 June 2026
The aides said that State Department officials confirmed this week that the administration is aiming to close out PEPFAR, the US global initiative to fight HIV/AIDS, in South Africa by early next year.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 18 June 2026
Lawmakers acted earlier this year to save a key AIDS drug program from drastic cuts, but a new report from the state released Monday indicates the program remains in peril.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
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Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 19 June 2026
The team was the first pro sports team to host an AIDS/HIV awareness day in 1994 and the first team to incorporate the Pride rainbow flag in its uniforms.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 19 June 2026
The aides said that State Department officials confirmed this week that the administration is aiming to close out PEPFAR, the US global initiative to fight HIV/AIDS, in South Africa by early next year.
—Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 18 June 2026
Lawmakers acted earlier this year to save a key AIDS drug program from drastic cuts, but a new report from the state released Monday indicates the program remains in peril.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
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 Jun. 2026.
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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
