parainfluenza virus

noun

: any of several paramyxoviruses (genera Respirovirus and Rubulavirus) that are a frequent cause of infections (such as croup) of the lower respiratory tract especially in infants and children

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Other viruses and bacteria can also contribute to the development of kennel cough, including adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and Bordetella pertussis. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022 Creech said his team continues to see croup, which is caused by parainfluenza virus. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2022 And that will be the same whether the virus being kept at bay is Covid-19, or RSV, or rhinovirus or parainfluenza virus. Maggie Fox, CNN, 26 Aug. 2021 Croup is usually caused by a viral infection, like parainfluenza virus, which can also cause laryngitis in adults, Gina Posner, M.D., a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., tells SELF. Korin Miller, SELF, 16 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parainfluenza virus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parainfluenza virus was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near parainfluenza virus

Cite this Entry

“Parainfluenza virus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parainfluenza%20virus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

parainfluenza virus

noun
para·​in·​flu·​en·​za virus ˈpar-ə-ˌin-flü-ˌen-zə- How to pronounce parainfluenza virus (audio)
: any of several single-stranded RNA viruses (genera Respirovirus and Rubulavirus) of the family Paramyxoviridae that are associated with or responsible for some respiratory infections especially in children

called also parainfluenza

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