varicella

noun

var·​i·​cel·​la ˌver-ə-ˈse-lə 

ˌva-rə-

: chickenpox

Examples of varicella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vaccines the state no longer plans to mandate are for varicella, or chickenpox; Hepatitis B; Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib; and Pneumococcal conjugate, or PCV15/20. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

Health officials said measles can be safely prevented with a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (also known as an MMR vaccine) or a measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026

The Department of Health has started the rulemaking process of repealing requirements for Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance. —Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026

In an ideal world, Moffat says, kids would continue getting the varicella vaccine as it’s currently administered, and then, around age 30, get vaccinated against shingles. —Angela Haupt, Time, 23 Feb. 2026

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 

: chickenpox