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

The funds would be pulled from money that Congress appropriated for health programs tackling malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, nutrition, global health security, HIV/AIDS and more, two federal health policy experts told CNN. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

But beneath the joy and abandon, the AIDS crisis casts an ever-deepening shadow. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 May 2026

Boundless care was not my narrative frame for the AIDS epidemic. —Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2026

The couple first posed for snaps and held hands publicly at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 34th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 15. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

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