rotavirus

noun ro·ta·vi·rus \ ˈrō-tə-ˌvī-rəs \

Updated on: 25 Feb 2018

Definition of rotavirus

: 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 (species Rotavirus A) causing epidemics of severe and sometimes fatal diarrhea in infants and young children

Recent Examples of rotavirus from the Web

Pathogens can lurk in fecal matter, like the highly contagious norovirus and rotavirus, which can both cause food poisoning and the stomach flu, along with cold and flu viruses, Reynolds says.

— korin miller, SELF, "Why You Seriously Need to Stop Taking Your Phone Into the Bathroom," 15 Feb. 2018
Offit developed a vaccine for rotavirus that has saved hundreds of thousands of lives since its approval in 2006.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "Uber driver protesting 'Vaxxed' film meets Philly vaccine pioneer," 8 Sep. 2017
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that almost every child will have a bout of rotavirus before their fifth birthdays.

— joan morris, The Mercury News, "Hidden dangers of rodents in the house," 18 May 2017
The new vaccine against rotavirus, the most common cause of death from diarrhea in children under age 5, is made by an Indian company and was tested in Niger by Doctors Without Borders.

— donald g. mcneil jr., New York Times, "New Vaccine Could Slow Disease That Kills 600 Children a Day," 22 Mar. 2017
Forty deaths a year from rotavirus, while tragic, does not constitute a serious health risk.

— wired, WIRED, "Reader Rants and Raves," 21 Dec. 2009

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

Origin and Etymology of rotavirus

New Latin, from Latin rota wheel + New Latin virus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1974

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

rotavirus

noun ro·ta·vi·rus \ ˈrōt-ə-ˌvī-rəs \

medical Definition of rotavirus

1 capitalized : a genus of reoviruses that are causative agents of gastroenteritis and that include one (species Rotavirus A) 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

—

rotaviral

play \-rəl\ adjective

Learn More about rotavirus

See words that rhyme with rotavirus

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up rotavirus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

rotavirus

Definition of rotavirus

Recent Examples of rotavirus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of rotavirus

Medical Dictionary

rotavirus

medical Definition of rotavirus

rotaviral

Learn More about rotavirus

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Name That Thing

Syn City

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

rotavirus

Definition of rotavirus

Recent Examples of rotavirus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of rotavirus

Medical Dictionary

rotavirus

medical Definition of rotavirus

rotaviral

Learn More about rotavirus

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes