mumps

noun

ˈməmps 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus (Orthorubulavirus parotitidis) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland

Examples of mumps in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Etzel noted that the order makes several significant changes, which include reducing the number of diseases targeted by childhood vaccines and separating the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine into individual shots. — Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026

The public health department states that the most effective way to protect oneself is with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. — Ema Sasic, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Measles is highly contagious, but the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, and protection generally lasts for life. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

The most effective protection against measles is two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, health officials said. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from plural of obsolete mump grimace

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mumps

• bumps
• clumps
• dumps
• humps
• jumps
• lumps
• pumps
• slumps
• stumps
• sumps
• thumps
• trumps

Kids Definition

mumps

singular or plural noun

ˈməm(p)s 

: a contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and by swelling especially of salivary glands

Medical Definition

mumps

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

ˈməm(p)s 

: an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus (Orthorubulavirus parotitidis) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland

called also epidemic parotitis