coronavirus

noun

co·​ro·​na·​vi·​rus kə-ˈrō-nə-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce coronavirus (audio)
plural coronaviruses
1
: any of a family (Coronaviridae) of large single-stranded RNA viruses that have a lipid envelope studded with club-shaped spike proteins, infect birds and many mammals including humans, and include the causative agents of MERS, SARS, and COVID-19
Coronaviruses can cause a variety of illnesses in animals, but in people coronaviruses cause one-third of common colds and sometimes respiratory infections in premature infants.Rob Stein
… in 2003 a previously unknown coronavirus caused an outbreak of SARS in humans.Ali Moh Zaki et al.
abbreviation CoV, CV
2
: an illness caused by a coronavirus
especially : covid-19
Italy has seen the most coronavirus cases in Europe, with more than 2,000 people ill and 76 deaths associated with COVID-19. Dayton (Ohio) Daily News
abbreviation CV

Examples of coronavirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The high court's role in that race supercharged interest in election law, fueling a rise in litigation that accelerated in 2020 because of changes to voting rules during the coronavirus pandemic. Alanna Durkin Richer, TIME, 20 Oct. 2024 The fraud, which took place at a time during the coronavirus pandemic when government funds flowed freely with minimal oversight, now has produced a total of 70 indictments and brought about new government controls around grant dollars. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2024 But as new challenges have emerged — the coronavirus pandemic, election denialism, water availability and other issues — supervisors have been forced to the forefront of political conversation in Arizona. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024 From a school shooting to a hurricane emergency situation, the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Capitol assault, mass racial protests, violence, political scandals, space launches, gastronomy, culture, science and awards. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coronavirus 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coronavirus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

corona + virus, later taken as New Latin

Note: The word was introduced by a group of virologists as a short article "Coronaviruses" in the "News and Views" section of Nature (vol. 220, no. 5168, November 16, 1968, p. 650): "… avian infectious bronchitis virus has a characteristic electron microscopic appearance resembling, but distinct from, that of myxoviruses. Particles are more or less rounded in profile … there is also a characteristic 'fringe' of projections 200 Å long, which are rounded or petal shaped, rather than sharp or pointed, as in the myxoviruses. This appearance, recalling the solar corona, is shared by mouse hepatitis virus … . In the opinion of the eight virologists these viruses are members of a previously unrecognized group which they suggest should be called the coronaviruses, to recall the characteristic appearance by which these viruses are identified in the electron microscope."

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coronavirus was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near coronavirus

Cite this Entry

“Coronavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronavirus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

coronavirus

noun
co·​ro·​na·​vi·​rus
kə-ˈrō-nə-ˌvī-rəs
1
: a virus that infects birds and many mammals including humans
2
: an illness caused by a coronavirus
especially : covid-19

Medical Definition

coronavirus

noun
co·​ro·​na·​vi·​rus kə-ˈrō-nə-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce coronavirus (audio)
1
: any of a family (Coronaviridae) of large, single-stranded, RNA viruses that have a lipid envelope studded with club-shaped spike proteins , infect birds and many mammals including humans, and include the causative agents of blue comb, feline infectious peritonitis, COVID-19, MERS, and SARS
Coronaviruses can cause a variety of illnesses in animals, but in people coronaviruses cause one-third of common colds and sometimes respiratory infections in premature infants.Rob Stein, The Washington Post
abbreviation CoV, CV
2
: an illness caused by a coronavirus
especially : covid-19
abbreviation CV

More from Merriam-Webster on coronavirus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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