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 44-year-old creative director headed for AIDS Garden after work in the city. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Daveigh Chase, 35, died at a Los Angeles hospital on June 16 from AIDS, according to the Los Angeles medical examiner, who listed chronic polysubstance use as a significant condition. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Chase died in a local hospital on June 16 of complications from AIDS, after spending years living unhoused around downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row area while struggling with drug addiction. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

But the medical examiner’s report disclosed that Chase died of AIDS, which is caused by HIV, as the primary cause of death. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 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