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

Examples of smallpox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ending polio will be a historic public health milestone, making polio the second infectious disease, after smallpox, to be certified eradicated. —Cynthia Tully, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Major achievements include smallpox eradication, polio reduction, and global vaccine distribution through COVAX. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

The later exhibition ended in tragedy when every member of the group died of smallpox, a disease that Hagenbeck’s team had failed to vaccinate them against. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2025

Yet, incredibly, the nations managed to find common ground to support the efforts of smallpox eradication. —Time, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for smallpox

• botox
• checkbox
• comox
• cornstalks
• cowpox
• crosswalks
• deadlocks
• detox
• feedstocks
• firebox
• gearbox
• hemlocks

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