chickenpox

noun

chick·​en·​pox ˈchi-kᵊn-ˌpäks 

variants or less commonly chicken pox

: an acute contagious disease especially of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles (see vesicle sense 1b) and caused by a herpesvirus (Varicellovirus humanalpha3) compare shingles

Examples of chickenpox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prior to these vaccines, there were millions of chickenpox cases and thousands of serious bacterial infections and preventable deaths among American children each year. — Katrine L. Wallace, Sun Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026

Because of these choices, AI answers already influence behavior, as shown by the chickenpox party examples. — Jessica Fishman, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026

For example, chickenpox was not a disease tracked by the Florida Department of Health until late 2006. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

Shingles develops when the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates in your body after your initial infection. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chickenpox

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

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

chickenpox

noun

chick·​en·​pox ˈchik-ən-ˌpäks 

variants also chicken pox

: an acute contagious disease especially of children that is marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles (see vesicle sense 2) and that is caused by a herpesvirus (Varicellovirus humanalpha3)

called also varicella

see shingles