poliovirus

noun

po·​lio·​vi·​rus ˈpō-lē-(ˌ)ō-ˌvī-rəs 

variants or less commonly polio virus

: an enterovirus (species Poliovirus) occurring in three distinct serotypes that cause polio

Note: The poliovirus is typically transmitted orally by food, drink, or hands that are contaminated with infected fecal matter. The virus may sometimes be transmitted by the respiratory droplets or saliva of an infected individual. The poliovirus multiplies in the intestinal tract and sometimes spreads in the bloodstream throughout the body.

Examples of poliovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wild poliovirus currently survives in only two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan—where UNICEF's vaccine efforts are closing in on complete eradication. —Aron Solomon, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025

Currently, the vast majority of wastewater surveillance efforts are focused on SARS-CoV-2, but the same techniques work with other pathogens, including poliovirus, influenza and noroviruses. —Carol Wilusz, The Conversation, 4 May 2022

In its early stages, poliomyelitis — known as polio — causes fatigue, headaches, stiffness and limb pain after exposure to the poliovirus, according to the World Health Organization, or WHO. —Soph Warnes, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025

Similarly, what happens in other countries with the poliovirus won’t necessarily stay in those countries. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

polio- (in poliomyelitis) + virus, later taken as New Latin

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for poliovirus

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

Medical Definition

poliovirus

noun

po·​lio·​vi·​rus ˈpō-lē-(ˌ)ō-ˌvī-rəs 

variants also polio virus

: a picornavirus of the genus Enterovirus (species Poliovirus) that occurs in three distinct serotypes that cause polio

Note: The poliovirus is typically transmitted orally by food, drink, or hands that are contaminated with infected fecal matter. The virus may sometimes be transmitted by the respiratory droplets or saliva of an infected individual. The poliovirus multiplies in the intestinal tract and sometimes spreads in the bloodstream throughout the body.

A distinctive characteristic of acute polio infection is the predilection of the poliovirus for the nerve cells that control muscles.

—Lauro S. Halstead, Scientific American