viroid

noun

vi·roid | \ ˈvī-ˌrȯid

Definition of viroid

: any of two families (Pospiviroidae and Avsunviroidae) of subviral particles that consist of a small single-stranded RNA arranged in a closed loop without a protein shell and that replicate in their host plants where they may or may not be pathogenic

Examples of viroid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The agency has also found diseases known to occur in China, called pospiviroid and spindle tuber viroid, in seeds, as well as a few pests of significance: an immature wasp and a larval seed beetle. — Jon Emont And Jesse Newman, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viroid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Viroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viroid. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for viroid

viroid

noun

vi·roid | \ ˈvī-ˌrȯid

Medical Definition of viroid

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a hypothetical symbiont resembling a virus that was formerly held to be present in cells, to be favorable to the host, and to tend to mutate to a virus

2 : any of two families (Pospiviroidae and Avsunviroidae) of subviral particles that consist of a small single-stranded RNA arranged in a closed loop without a protein shell and that replicate in their host plants where they may or may not be pathogenic

viroid

adjective

Medical Definition of viroid (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : caused by a virus viroid pneumonia

2 : of or relating to viroids