aids

1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of aid entry 1

plural of aid entry 2

AIDS

2 of 2

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

called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Examples of aids in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Emmy-winning actor and activist will receive the Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award, while Vanity Fair will receive some shine by taking home the the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

The organization focuses on working with groups who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS and provides treatment, prevention and supporting resources. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

In later years, Parton and her charitable Dollywood Foundation were active in charitable work encouraging literacy and combating the spread of HIV and AIDS. — Chris Morris, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Act Up Pittsburgh, a nonpartisan collective dedicated to direct action to combat AIDS, credited the decrease in new diagnoses to people living with HIV. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

First Known Use

Noun

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