chicken pox

noun

: an acute contagious disease especially of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and caused by a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 3 of the genus Varicellovirus) compare shingles

Examples of chicken pox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shingles develops in people who have previously had chicken pox, a virus that remains dormant in the body after acute infections clear up and can be reactivated later in life. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 May 2025

However, the fluid from your blisters can spread the varicella-zoster virus, which can potentially cause a chicken pox infection in folks who’ve never had the illness nor the chance to be vaccinated against it. —Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025

Like the virus that causes chicken pox (varicella-zoster), HPV can lie dormant in the body for decades. —Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2025

But being vigilant and seeking medical attention at the first sign of the illness—which is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same culprit behind chicken pox—can make a big difference in your recovery. —Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chicken pox

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• equinox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks
• blocks
• blocs

Kids Definition

chicken pox

noun

: a contagious virus disease especially of children marked by low fever and a rash or small watery blisters

Medical Definition

chicken pox

noun

: an acute contagious disease especially of children that is marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and that is caused by a herpesvirus of the genus Varicellovirus (species Human herpesvirus 3)

called also varicella

see shingles