herpesvirus

noun

her·​pes·​vi·​rus ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce herpesvirus (audio)
plural herpesviruses
: any of a family (Orthoherpesviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that include the cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus and the causative agents of chickenpox, herpes simplex, Marek's disease, roseola infantum, and shingles

Examples of herpesvirus 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.
That includes viruses such as Covid, as well as human herpesvirus 6 and parvovirus B19. — Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 22 May 2026 However, all of these Alzheimer’s signs did not appear when brain cells were exposed to VZV in the absence of herpesvirus. — Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025 There have been a number of hints recently that members of the herpesvirus family that can infect nerve cells are associated with dementia. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025 Because of an outbreak of equine herpesvirus, a contagious equine virus that can cause neurological and respiratory diseases, the decision was made to not have any horses or other equines in the parade. — Tracy Trobridge, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herpesvirus

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herpesvirus was in 1925

Rhymes for herpesvirus

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Browse Nearby Words

Herpestes
herpesvirus
herpes zoster
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herpesvirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herpesvirus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

herpesvirus

noun
her·​pes·​vi·​rus ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce herpesvirus (audio)
: any of a group of viruses that contain DNA and cause herpes

Medical Definition

herpesvirus

noun
her·​pes·​vi·​rus -ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce herpesvirus (audio)
: any of a family Orthoherpesviridae of double-stranded DNA viruses

More from Merriam-Webster on herpesvirus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herpesvirus

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