shingles

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

shin·gles | \ ˈshiŋ-gəlz

Definition of shingles

: an acute viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and cranial nerves that is associated with a vesicular eruption and neuralgic pains and is caused by reactivation of the herpesvirus causing chicken pox

— called also herpes zoster, zoster

Examples of shingles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Also, both the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have recently approved the newer shingles vaccine for use in people over 18 with immune system damage or disease. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 Dec. 2021 Experts recommend the shingles vaccine be given in two doses spaced two to six months apart. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, sun-sentinel.com, 22 Oct. 2021 Within days, cells lined up to form rows of scales in an alternating pattern above and beneath the wing, like shingles on a roof. — Rachael Lallensack, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2021 Most moths and butterflies get their vibrant colors from flat scales that tile the wing surface like shingles; relatively few species have clear wings. — Harini Barath, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2021 O’Leary's body was found Sunday in the backyard of his home on Candler Street, hidden under sheets, shingles and a wheelbarrow. — Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 25 Nov. 2021 Bexar County continued building houses despite a crippled supply chain — chronic delays in getting carpet, shingles and bricks made worse by national shortages of carpenters, roofers and concrete finishers. — Bruce Selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Nov. 2021 The pitched and angled roof was replaced in 2012 with higher quality shingles, and the skylights were all upgraded in 2017. — Helena Madden, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2021 All through town Tuesday, power lines and utility poles hung precariously over streets littered with shingles and lumber ripped from fractured homes. — Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2021

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

Learn More About shingles

Dictionary Entries Near shingles

shingle oak

shingles

shingle tow

Statistics for shingles

Last Updated

20 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Shingles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shingles. Accessed 23 Jan. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for shingles

shingles

noun

English Language Learners Definition of shingles

: a disease that causes pain and red marks on your skin along the path of a nerve

shingles

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

shin·gles | \ ˈshiŋ-gəlz

Medical Definition of shingles

: an acute viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and cranial nerves associated with a vesicular eruption and neuralgic pain and caused by reactivation of the herpesvirus causing chicken pox

— called also herpes zoster, zona, zoster