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

Along with finding treatments for a host of other serious diseases, Fauci was instrumental in making strides to fight AIDS, Ebola, MERS, SARS, swine flu, and in developing drugs to counteract bioterrorism after 9/11. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

On today's show, how the wheels of finance transformed a desperate deal made during the AIDS crisis into a multi-billion dollar industry. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Living in fear of ‘the AIDS’ entails its own ‘long set of disappearing acts’—not just sickness and death, but shame and denial and an inability to mourn. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

The organization helped establish two of the field’s most consequential institutions, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Aug. 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
• plaids
• raids

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