Epstein-Barr virus

noun

Ep·​stein-Barr virus ˌep-ˌstīn-ˈbär- 

: a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 4 of the genus Lymphocryptovirus) that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

—abbreviation EBV

Examples of Epstein-Barr virus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists recently found a link between multiple sclerosis and Epstein-Barr virus, a pathogen estimated to infect over 90% of adults around the world. —Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025

Those include autoimmunity, tissue damage and reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the researchers wrote. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025

Like people with long Covid, those with post-vaccination syndrome showed reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus, a virus that may lie dormant in the body and is linked to mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Recent research has suggested that multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurologic condition, may be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Michael Anthony Epstein born1921 and Yvonne M. Barr born1932 English pathologists

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Epstein-Barr virus

• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• parvovirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rhinovirus
• rotavirus

Medical Definition

Epstein-Barr virus

noun

Ep·​stein-Barr virus ˌep-ˌstīn-ˌbär- 

: a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 4 of the genus Lymphocryptovirus) that causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

—abbreviation EBV

called also EB virus