plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus (Orthorubulavirus parotitidis) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland
Examples of mumps in a Sentence
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Health experts have emphasized that the best protection against the disease is the vaccine, which can be given by itself, as part of an MMR vaccine or as part of the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) shot.
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Finch Walker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
In 2024-25, a dozen of California’s 58 counties reported overall immunization rates below 90%, and 15 counties reported measles-mumps-rubella vaccination rates below 95%.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
The fate of the measles-mumps-rubella shot, which does not contain aluminum, is also up in the air.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
Health experts say the measles vaccine, normally given as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is safe and effective, and the increase in cases is due to lower vaccination rates.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
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Finch Walker, USA Today, 13 May 2026
In 2024-25, a dozen of California’s 58 counties reported overall immunization rates below 90%, and 15 counties reported measles-mumps-rubella vaccination rates below 95%.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
The fate of the measles-mumps-rubella shot, which does not contain aluminum, is also up in the air.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026
Health experts say the measles vaccine, normally given as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is safe and effective, and the increase in cases is due to lower vaccination rates.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mumps
Cite this Entry
“Mumps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mumps. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mumps
singular or plural noun
: a contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and by swelling especially of salivary glands
Medical Definition
mumps
noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus (Orthorubulavirus parotitidis) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland
called also epidemic parotitis
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