SARS

noun

ˈsärz 

: a severe respiratory illness that is caused by the SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus, is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets or body fluids), and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, hypoxia, and usually pneumonia

called also severe acute respiratory syndrome

Examples of SARS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These moves have once again foregrounded Paul's unproven claims that the SARS-Cov-2 virus came from a lab leak and that Fauci covered it up — a charge the scientist has vociferously denied. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 30 July 2026

Lab leak focus The White House said several lines of evidence support a laboratory origin for SARS-CoV-2. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

This multi-antibody approach could also be crucial for combating other rapidly evolving viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, offering a more durable defense against viral evolution. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

The year before that, SARS had emerged, ultimately infecting over 8,000 people in nearly 30 countries. — Neil Vora, Time, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

severe acute respiratory syndrome

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing SARS

• SARS-CoV-2

Rhymes for SARS

• ares
• bars
• cars
• chars
• czars
• gars
• jars
• lars
• mars
• pars
• scars
• spars

Kids Definition

SARS

noun

ˈsärz 

: a severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus, is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (as respiratory droplets or body fluids), and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, shortness of breath, and usually pneumonia

Etymology

severe acute respiratory syndrome

Medical Definition

SARS

noun

ˈsärz 

: a severe respiratory illness that is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets or body fluids), is caused by the SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus, and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, hypoxia, and usually pneumonia

called also severe acute respiratory syndrome