smallpox

noun

small·pox ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Some of this may sound familiar: for example, the fact that European settlers in North America, both intentionally and unintentionally, used smallpox to wipe out Indigenous populations, to make the work of colonizing easier. —

Colin Dickey, The New Republic, 3 May 2023 In 1721, there was an outbreak of smallpox in Boston. —

Gary Simon, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2023 As Jenner was making and publicizing his discoveries, King Charles IV of Spain was watching in horror as family members and millions of people in his colonies were felled by smallpox. —

Hannah Seo, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2022 But Jynneos hasn't been tested in humans with either monkeypox or its relative smallpox, which was eradicated decades ago. —

Matthew Perrone, ajc, 9 Aug. 2022 People who got the smallpox vaccine are eligible for the Jynneos shot. —

Grace Tooheystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Only weeks after cases of monkeypox were detected outside of Africa, vaccination campaigns were underway (if slow and piecemeal) in western countries, which have started inoculating at-risk populations with smallpox vaccines that protect against monkeypox, too. —

Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 3 Aug. 2022 In severe cases, an antiviral that is aimed at smallpox can be used, according to Dr. Inglesby. —

Denise Roland, WSJ, 26 July 2022 State health officials can request an alternative vaccine known as ACAM2000, which was developed to prevent smallpox and should also provide protection against monkeypox, experts say. —

New York Times, 15 July 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smallpox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of smallpox was circa 1562

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Smallpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smallpox. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

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Kids Definition

smallpox

noun

small·pox ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks

: a sometimes deadly disease that is caused by a virus, is characterized by fever and a skin rash, and is believed to have been wiped out worldwide as a result of vaccination

Medical Definition

smallpox

noun

small·pox ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks

: 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