herpesvirus

noun

her·​pes·​vi·​rus ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs 

: 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

However, all of these Alzheimer’s signs did not appear when brain cells were exposed to VZV in the absence of herpesvirus. —Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025

There have been a number of hints recently that members of the herpesvirus family that can infect nerve cells are associated with dementia. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025

Interestingly, the research found exposing brain cells harboring dormant HSV-1 to VZV led to a reactivation of the herpesvirus and a cascade of the toxic plaques known to be signs of Alzheimer’s. —Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025

These diseases, which included adenovirus, herpesvirus, and papillomavirus, were preserved in the bones of Neanderthals. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for herpesvirus

• antivirus
• parvovirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rhinovirus
• rotavirus
• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• cytomegalovirus

Kids Definition

herpesvirus

noun

her·​pes·​vi·​rus ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs 

: any of a group of viruses that contain DNA and cause herpes

Medical Definition

herpesvirus

noun

her·​pes·​vi·​rus -ˈvī-rəs 

: any of a family Herpesviridae of double-stranded DNA viruses