virulence

noun

vir·​u·​lence ˈvir-ə-lən(t)s How to pronounce virulence (audio) ˈvir-yə- How to pronounce virulence (audio)
: the quality or state of being virulent: such as
a
: extreme bitterness or malevolence : rancor
the virulence of their hatred
She said the rising virulence of the rhetoric against Muslims has flooded her with sadness, grief, alienation and fear.Laura DaSilva
But the virulence of the campaign, on both sides … provides a clue to the deeper forces at work: the polarizing of politics in a traditionally moderate place.The Economist
b
: the relative capacity of a pathogen (such as a bacterium or virus) to overcome a host's defenses and cause disease or damage : the degree of pathogenicity of a causative agent of disease
a bacterial strain of low virulence
the virulence of a novel virus
also : the ability to overcome a host's defenses and cause disease or damage : the state of being pathogenic
With its newly acquired virulence, this otherwise mild-mannered avian influenza virus went wild. Rick Weiss
c
: relative severity or malignancy
Breast cancer is as diverse as the breast itself, appearing in many different guises. Some cancers seem to erupt out of ordinary breast issue with an awesome virulence, spreading rapidly throughout the body.David Plotkin

Examples of virulence in a Sentence

I was surprised by the virulence of the criticism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An ePPP is a pathogen that has been modified to enhance its transmissibility and virulence. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Still others are investigating viruses that attack Bd and eventually might be used to reduce its virulence. Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024 Assuming the contagiousness and virulence of Neolithic diseases increased through time, dense settlements such as Çatalhöyük may have reached a tipping point where the effects of disease outweighed the benefits of living closely together. R. Alexander Bentley, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 Scientists emphasized that this hasn’t been linked to virulence or rapid transmission. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for virulence 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & Latin; borrowed from French, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin vīrulentia "poisonous odor, infection," from Latin vīrulentus "full of poison, venomous" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at virulent

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of virulence was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near virulence

Cite this Entry

“Virulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virulence. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

virulence

noun
vir·​u·​lence ˈvir-(y)ə-lən(t)s How to pronounce virulence (audio)
: the quality or state of being virulent

Medical Definition

virulence

noun
vir·​u·​lence ˈvir-(y)ə-lən(t)s How to pronounce virulence (audio)
: the quality or state of being virulent: as
a
: the relative capacity of a pathogen (as a bacterium or virus) to overcome a host's defenses and cause disease or damage : the degree of pathogenicity of a causative agent of disease
a bacterial strain of low virulence
attempted to determine the virulence of the newly identified virus
also : the ability to overcome a host's defenses and cause disease or damage : the state of being pathogenic
With its newly acquired virulence, this otherwise mild-mannered avian influenza virus went wild. Rick Weiss
b
: relative severity or malignancy
ameliorate the virulence of a disease

More from Merriam-Webster on virulence

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