RSV
1 of 2abbreviation or noun
plural RSVs
: respiratory syncytial virus
Like many viruses, RSV is spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects.—
Nancy Snyderman
Nancy SnydermanRSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies, has been spreading around the region and the country, and doctors are cautioning about the risks to young children.—Josette Keelor
Josette KeelorRSVs typically emerge in late fall and remain until early spring. However, signs of RSV outbreak began in the middle of April before exponentially increasing by early May.—Winston Henvey
Winston HenveyExamples of RSV in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Hilliard denied that the CDC had stopped reporting flu, COVID or RSV data.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026
In its complaint, Pfizer argued Hudson made inaccurate superiority claims about the Beyfortus RSV monoclonal antibody that lacked relevant safety information.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
Much of the same prevention principles apply to other circulating winter respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 and RSV.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for RSV
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.
Abbreviation or noun
Officials said the speedboat (RSV) had been carrying foreign migrant passengers and was traveling towards Chios without navigation lights.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Hilliard denied that the CDC had stopped reporting flu, COVID or RSV data.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026
In its complaint, Pfizer argued Hudson made inaccurate superiority claims about the Beyfortus RSV monoclonal antibody that lacked relevant safety information.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
Much of the same prevention principles apply to other circulating winter respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 and RSV.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for RSV
Cite this Entry
“RSV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RSV. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
RSV
1 of 2 abbreviation or noun
: respiratory syncytial virus
Long considered primarily a pathogen of young children, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been recognized as a cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in adults.—Harvey B. Simon, Science & Medicine
Harvey B. Simon, Science & MedicineHowever, upper respiratory tract infections caused by RSV tend to last longer than those caused by other common respiratory agents …—Caroline Breese, The New England Journal of Medicine
Caroline Breese, The New England Journal of MedicineRSV
2 of 2 abbreviationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
