pox

1 of 2

noun

ˈpäks 

plural pox or poxes

1

a

: a virus disease (such as chickenpox) characterized by pustules or eruptions

b

archaic : smallpox

c

: syphilis

2

: a disastrous evil : plague, curse

a pox on him

poxy

ˈpäk-sē 

adjective

pox

2 of 2

verb

poxed; poxing; poxes

transitive verb

archaic

: to infect with a pox and especially with syphilis

Examples of pox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough and chicken pox will also surge. —Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026

Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine Shingles, or herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus — the same virus that causes chicken pox. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 22 Jan. 2026

As for Africa, some thinkers on the continent argue that distracted big powers will leave it alone; a pox on all their houses, in other words. —Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

On Wednesday, San Diego County Public Health Services launched its own wastewater infectious disease surveillance system, publishing weekly data on SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, with plans to expand to M-pox, hepatitis A and measles in the near future. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of pocks, plural of pock

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pox

• chicken pox

Rhymes for pox

• balks
• blocks
• blocs
• box
• chalks
• chocks
• clocks
• cocks
• cox
• crocks
• docks
• docs

Kids Definition

pox

noun

ˈpäks

: a disease (as chicken pox) that is caused by a virus and produces a rash on the skin

Medical Definition

pox

noun

ˈpäks 

plural pox or poxes

1

: a viral disease (such as chickenpox) characterized by pustules or eruptions

2

archaic : smallpox

3

: syphilis