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

On Monday, the state proposed a rule to remove requirements that children get vaccinated against chickenpox, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and pneumococcal to enter school. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

There have been signals before of cardiovascular benefits in people who got the newer, recombinant vaccine to prevent shingles, a painful, often serious flare-up in older people of the chickenpox virus from childhood. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026

Under the proposal, Florida children would no longer have to get shots for chickenpox, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib, and pneumococcal disease. — Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Those vaccines are often given together in a single shot known as MMR or sometimes MMRV, if the chickenpox vaccine is included. — Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 20 Aug. 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