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

They were stranded on the riverbanks for weeks without proper sanitation, prompting a rotavirus outbreak. — Gabriela Sá Pessoa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Or Denmark, where rotavirus vaccination is not routine, and about 1,200 children are hospitalized with rotavirus dehydration every year. — Andrew D. Racine, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

The most common complication from rotavirus is dehydration, the clinic said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026

Federal officials then reduced the number of vaccines recommended for children, no longer broadly recommending flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin rota wheel + New Latin virus

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rotavirus

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

Medical 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

rotaviral

-rəl 

adjective