norovirus
noun
\
Definition of norovirus
: any of a genus (Norovirus) of small, round, single-stranded RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows, pigs, and dogs)
People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.— Cherie Black
Note:
In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
Examples of norovirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Western Connecticut State University was closed Monday after more than 100 students were sickened from norovirus, a highly contagious virus that affects the digestive tract and causes vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. — Matthew Ormseth, courant.com, "Western Connecticut State University Closes Monday After Norovirus Sickens 100 Students," 23 Apr. 2018 The trials have been used to test vaccines or treatments for dengue, malaria, influenza and norovirus, among other diseases. — Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, "Ethicists Call for More Scrutiny of ‘Human-Challenge’ Trials," 20 Apr. 2018 This simple action can help you get rid of pathogens like rhinoviruses (which can cause the common cold), influenza (which can cause the flu), and norovirus (which can cause stomach bugs). — Zahra Barnes, SELF, "This Is How Long You Should Actually Be Washing Your Hands," 1 Apr. 2018 Olympics officials also struggled initially to maintain the spread of norovirus, which has sickened scores of security guards and others who came in contact with contaminated areas during the run-up to the events. — Matt Stiles, latimes.com, "There's a dark underbelly to these Winter Olympics (but not much of one)," 20 Feb. 2018 Officials have told men's and women's hockey players to fist bump each other rather than shaking hands to prevent transmission of norovirus, which is highly contagious. — Stephen Whyno, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. Olympic hockey player and former Blackhawk James Wisniewski says his dad has norovirus," 18 Feb. 2018 With the opening ceremony set for Friday, an outbreak of the highly infectious gastrointestinal bug norovirus already has a solid lead at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Alarm grows as norovirus outbreak explodes at Olympics; cases quadruple in days," 8 Feb. 2018 Just days ahead of the opening ceremony organisers have been forced to call in the military after dozens of private security staff fell sick with a suspected norovirus. — Melanie Feuk, Houston Chronicle, "'Snow White' opens at Nathaniel Center in Kingwood April 13," 6 Apr. 2018 Norovirus brings the funk Even before the games kicked off, officials were scrambling to contain the spread of the norovirus, a nasty stomach bug that hit nearly 250 people, mainly workers and security staff outside of the Olympic Village. — Rima Abdelkader, NBC News, "Highs and lows of the PyeongChang Olympics: Team USA soars — and stumbles," 24 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'norovirus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for norovirus
norovirus
noun
\
Medical Definition of norovirus
1 capitalized : a genus of small, round, single-stranded, highly infectious RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows and dogs)
2
: any virus of the genus Norovirus
People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.— Cherie Black, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 29 Dec. 2006
Note:
In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
Comments on norovirus
What made you want to look up norovirus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share norovirus
Resources for norovirus