: the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19

Examples of SARS-CoV-2 in a Sentence

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.
Wen: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is constantly mutating, and it’s entirely expected that there will be new variants. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 19 June 2025 In fact, ivermectin never really worked for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025 There’s also an informal new term being bandied about on social media to describe this newish SARS-CoV-2 variant. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 Association of SARS-CoV-2 With Health-Related Quality of Life 1 Year After Illness Using Latent Transition Analysis JAMA Network Open. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2025 Public health experts are monitoring a strain of the COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 called NB.1.8.1, which was first detected early this year and last month became responsible for one in 10 COVID cases globally. Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2025 The researchers tested the new tool against 177 viral-spiked patient samples and 130 viral-spiked serum samples infected with a range of pathogens – SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HBV, or HCV. Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 3 June 2025 Governments around the world issued lockdown orders to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from spreading, leaving many businesses struggling to survive. Leigh Morgan, Quartz, 2 June 2025 However, incomplete knowledge of prolonged symptoms experienced after a young child’s own SARS-CoV-2 infection hinders prevention and treatment of LC in infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2020, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of SARS-CoV-2 was in 2020

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Cite this Entry

“SARS-CoV-2.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SARS-CoV-2. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

SARS-CoV-2

noun
: the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19 see delta variant, omicron variant
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