coronavirus
noun
co·ro·na·vi·rus
kə-ˈrō-nə-ˌvī-rəs 
plural coronaviruses
1
: any of a family (Coronaviridae) of large single-stranded RNA viruses that have a lipid envelope studded with club-shaped spike proteins, infect birds and many mammals including humans, and include the causative agents of MERS, SARS, and COVID-19
Coronaviruses can cause a variety of illnesses in animals, but in people coronaviruses cause one-third of common colds and sometimes respiratory infections in premature infants.—
Rob Stein
Rob Stein… in 2003 a previously unknown coronavirus caused an outbreak of SARS in humans.—Ali Moh Zaki et al.
—abbreviation CoV, CV
Ali Moh Zaki et al.2
: an illness caused by a coronavirus
especially
: covid-19
Italy has seen the most coronavirus cases in Europe, with more than 2,000 people ill and 76 deaths associated with COVID-19. —Dayton (Ohio) Daily News
—abbreviation CV
Dayton (Ohio) Daily News Examples of coronavirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After the coronavirus pandemic canceled Coachella in 2020 and 2021, fans were excited to be back at the polo grounds in 2022.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
After Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the relentless impact of the climate crisis, this is just the latest turbulence to batter the machinery of global trade.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
And while mortgage rates are still lower than a year ago, making monthly payments more manageable, rates are still much higher than the sub-3% averages available to homebuyers during most of 2020 and 2021 as the weakened economy dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath.
—Alex Veiga, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The Democratic budget also recommends an additional $22 million for transportation, including public transit and more money for the Shoreline East railroad from New London to New Haven in order to increase ridership back to levels from before the coronavirus pandemic.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
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Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
After Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the relentless impact of the climate crisis, this is just the latest turbulence to batter the machinery of global trade.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
And while mortgage rates are still lower than a year ago, making monthly payments more manageable, rates are still much higher than the sub-3% averages available to homebuyers during most of 2020 and 2021 as the weakened economy dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath.
—Alex Veiga, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The Democratic budget also recommends an additional $22 million for transportation, including public transit and more money for the Shoreline East railroad from New London to New Haven in order to increase ridership back to levels from before the coronavirus pandemic.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coronavirus
Cite this Entry
“Coronavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coronavirus. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
coronavirus
noun
co·ro·na·vi·rus
kə-ˈrō-nə-ˌvī-rəs
1
: a virus that infects birds and many mammals including humans
2
: an illness caused by a coronavirus
especially
: covid-19
Medical Definition
coronavirus
noun
co·ro·na·vi·rus
kə-ˈrō-nə-ˌvī-rəs
1
: any of a family (Coronaviridae) of large, single-stranded, RNA viruses that have a lipid envelope studded with club-shaped spike proteins , infect birds and many mammals including humans, and include the causative agents of feline infectious peritonitis, COVID-19, MERS, and SARS
Coronaviruses are a large, diverse group of viruses that affect many animal species. A few of these viruses cause a wide range of respiratory illness in humans, typically with "common cold" symptoms.—The Journal of the American Medical Association
—abbreviation CoV, CV
The Journal of the American Medical Association2
: an illness caused by a coronavirus
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