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
The first was a patient with chickenpox or varicella encephalitis, a virus that causes brain inflammation.
—
Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Other standard childhood vaccines—including against polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox—remain fully recommended for all children, but experts still worry that the broad hits to the vaccine schedule will ultimately reduce those vaccines’ usage as well.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo made the announcement in September targeting shots against hepatitis B, chickenpox, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal bacteria.
—Allison Ong, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
In practice, that may be combined with a shot against chickenpox for older children.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Under the new guidance, the CDC recommends that all children get vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV and chickenpox.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
Vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox remain recommended for all children.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
The vaccinations that the federal government continues to recommend for all children prevent against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (chickenpox).
—Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Who said what The new CDC guidelines, effective immediately, still recommend universal vaccination against the measles, chickenpox, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, tetanus and diphtheria, among other diseases.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 6 Jan. 2026
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Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Other standard childhood vaccines—including against polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox—remain fully recommended for all children, but experts still worry that the broad hits to the vaccine schedule will ultimately reduce those vaccines’ usage as well.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo made the announcement in September targeting shots against hepatitis B, chickenpox, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal bacteria.
—Allison Ong, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
In practice, that may be combined with a shot against chickenpox for older children.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Under the new guidance, the CDC recommends that all children get vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib, pneumococcal conjugate, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV and chickenpox.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
Vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and chickenpox remain recommended for all children.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
The vaccinations that the federal government continues to recommend for all children prevent against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) and varicella (chickenpox).
—Dené K. Dryden, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Who said what The new CDC guidelines, effective immediately, still recommend universal vaccination against the measles, chickenpox, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, tetanus and diphtheria, among other diseases.
—Peter Weber, TheWeek, 6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chickenpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chickenpox. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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 shinglesLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
