: 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
Researchers have also found that long COVID patients are more than twice as likely as people without the condition to have particles of the SARS-CoV-2 virus lingering in their blood — remnants of original infection that could be causing ongoing inflammation.
—
Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
In a new paper in Science, researchers describe a vaccine, given in four doses of nasal spray, that prevented mice from being infected by flu, COVID-19, SARS, and a bacterium that causes respiratory infections.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
In mice, the spray reduced infection rates from viruses including flu and SARS-CoV-2, as well as common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, for about three months.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Once injected into the body, the vaccine releases the mRNA to program the cell to produce spike proteins like those on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
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Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
In a new paper in Science, researchers describe a vaccine, given in four doses of nasal spray, that prevented mice from being infected by flu, COVID-19, SARS, and a bacterium that causes respiratory infections.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 6 Mar. 2026
In mice, the spray reduced infection rates from viruses including flu and SARS-CoV-2, as well as common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, for about three months.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Once injected into the body, the vaccine releases the mRNA to program the cell to produce spike proteins like those on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for SARS
Cite this Entry
“SARS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SARS. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
SARS
noun
: 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
: 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
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