herpesvirus

noun

her·​pes·​vi·​rus ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce herpesvirus (audio)
: any of a family (Herpesviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that include the cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus and the causative agents of chicken pox, herpes simplex, Marek's disease, roseola infantum, and shingles

Examples of herpesvirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Exposure to viruses: Human herpesvirus 8, HHV-8, can increase the risk of a type of sarcoma called Kaposi's sarcoma. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 10 June 2024 In a paper posted to the preprint site bioRxiv, the researchers detected fragments of adenovirus (which causes cold-like illnesses), herpesvirus (linked to cold sores) and papillomavirus (HPV) in Neanderthal genome data. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024 After the fall, the bird was found to have had severe pigeon herpesvirus and four different anticoagulant rodenticides, or rat poison, within his system, according to the postmortem testing results released by the Central Park Zoo on March 25. USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024 On Monday, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement that the contagious and often-fatal herpesvirus infection had damaged Flaco’s tissues, organs, spleen, liver and brain. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for herpesvirus 

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

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herpesvirus was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near herpesvirus

Cite this Entry

“Herpesvirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herpesvirus. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

herpesvirus

noun
her·​pes·​vi·​rus ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce herpesvirus (audio)
: any of a group of viruses that contain DNA and cause herpes

Medical Definition

herpesvirus

noun
her·​pes·​vi·​rus -ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce herpesvirus (audio)
: any of a family Herpesviridae of double-stranded DNA viruses

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