mumps

noun

ˈməmps 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus (Orthorubulavirus parotitidis) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland

Examples of mumps in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What to know about measles vaccine Mecklenburg County’s immunization clinics are offering walk-in measles-mumps-rubella vaccinations amid ongoing measles cases in the region. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026

One is an adult who had at least one measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026

Coverage with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is lower than the nationalaverage in South Carolina, and vaccination rates in Spartanburg County are among the lowest in the state. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026

Residents who are unvaccinated against the measles are urged to get immunized with two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from plural of obsolete mump grimace

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mumps

• bumps
• clumps
• dumps
• humps
• jumps
• lumps
• pumps
• slumps
• stumps
• sumps
• thumps
• trumps

Kids Definition

mumps

singular or plural noun

ˈməm(p)s 

: a contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and by swelling especially of salivary glands

Medical Definition

mumps

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

ˈməm(p)s 

: an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus (Orthorubulavirus parotitidis) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland

called also epidemic parotitis