: 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
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The rollout was supported by the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, in partnership with the Global Fund, raising questions about future deliveries under the program.
—
Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Since its creation in 1996, the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program has been funded through the Ryan White CARE Act, which Congress passed into law in 1990.
—Jonathan Appelbaum, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The roll out was supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, in partnership with the Global Fund, raising questions about future deliveries under the program.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
About a week after the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s lawsuit, the state started its regular process to change the program requirements.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
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Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
Since its creation in 1996, the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program has been funded through the Ryan White CARE Act, which Congress passed into law in 1990.
—Jonathan Appelbaum, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
The roll out was supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, in partnership with the Global Fund, raising questions about future deliveries under the program.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
About a week after the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s lawsuit, the state started its regular process to change the program requirements.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for AIDS
Cite this Entry
“AIDS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AIDS. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
AIDS
noun
: 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
: 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
