varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌver-ə-ˈse-lə 

ˌva-rə-

: chicken pox

Examples of varicella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For childcare facilities and preschools, diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP); IPV (polio); measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); varicella; Hib; pneumococcal conjugate; and hepatitis B shots are required. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Those who did get vaccinated received what’s known as a live zoster vaccine, an older option that contains a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 May 2025

Shingles is a rash brought on by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Suppressing the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus reduces dementia onset. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from vari- (in variola variola) + Medieval Latin -cella, diminutive suffix (extracted from nouns such as nāvicella, diminutive of Latin nāvicula "boat," diminutive of nāvis "ship")

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for varicella

• arabella
• bartonella
• bordetella
• cinderella
• citronella
• columella
• isabella
• klebsiella
• legionella
• mozzarella
• pasteurella
• salmonella

Medical Definition

varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌvar-ə-ˈsel-ə 

: chicken pox