Definition of smallpox
: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination —called also variola
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of smallpox from the Web
-
Diseases including smallpox, typhus and pneumonia killed nearly eight percent of the prison population.
-
Mankind has successfully managed to eradicate only two diseases to date: smallpox in humans followed by the deadly cattle plague, rinderpest.
-
But the current generation of public health and medical workers had never done a smallpox vaccination.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smallpox'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of smallpox
circa 1562
SMALLPOX Defined for English Language Learners
smallpox
playDefinition of smallpox for English Language Learners
-
: a serious disease that causes fever and a rash and often death
SMALLPOX Defined for Kids
smallpox
playDefinition of smallpox for Students
: a sometimes deadly disease in which fever and skin rash occur and which is believed to have been wiped out worldwide by vaccination
Medical Dictionary
smallpox
playMedical Definition of smallpox
: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus), is characterized by skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination—called also variola; see variola major, variola minor
Learn More about smallpox
-
See words that rhyme with smallpox Spanish Central: Translation of smallpox Nglish: Translation of smallpox for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of smallpox for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smallpox
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up smallpox? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!