rotavirus
noun
ro·ta·vi·rus
ˈrō-tə-ˌvī-rəs 
plural rotaviruses
: any of a genus (Rotavirus) of reoviruses that have a three-layered protein capsid with no outer lipid envelope when mature and that include one (Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis) causing epidemics of severe and sometimes fatal diarrhea in infants and young children
Examples of rotavirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the short term, if the schedule change leads to fewer vaccinations, children in America will suffer through more diarrhea from rotavirus, nausea from hepatitis A, and fevers from the flu.
—
Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Before routine administration of the current rotavirus vaccines began in 2006, about 70,000 young children were hospitalized and 50 died every year from the virus.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
The six vaccines that are no longer broadly recommended include protections against rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and some forms of meningococcal disease and RSV.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
On the new schedule, vaccines that had previously been recommended for all children — such as those for rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and seasonal flu — are now more restricted.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
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Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Before routine administration of the current rotavirus vaccines began in 2006, about 70,000 young children were hospitalized and 50 died every year from the virus.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
The six vaccines that are no longer broadly recommended include protections against rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and some forms of meningococcal disease and RSV.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
On the new schedule, vaccines that had previously been recommended for all children — such as those for rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, and seasonal flu — are now more restricted.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotavirus
Cite this Entry
“Rotavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotavirus. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rotavirus
noun
ro·ta·vi·rus
ˈrōt-ə-ˌvī-rəs
1
Rotavirus
: a genus of reoviruses that are causative agents of gastroenteritis and that include one (Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis) causing epidemics of severe and sometimes fatal diarrhea in infants and young children
Note: Viruses of the genus Rotavirus have a virion with a three-layered protein capsid lacking an outer lipid envelope when mature and a core of 11 discrete segments of double-stranded RNA.
2
: any virus of the genus Rotavirus
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