Virus
Last Updated: January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Scrabble:8 ptsWWF:10 pts5 letters
Definition of Virus
Noun
- A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure that consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that requires a living host cell to replicate, and that sometimes causes disease in the host organism (such agents are often classed as nonliving infectious particles and less often as microorganisms).
"Some viruses, such as norovirus, cause sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis."
- A species thereof.
"Some viruses, such as norovirus, cause sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis."
- An individual particle thereof: synonym of virion.
"Under electron microscopy, a few viruses were seen floating near the cells."
- A quantity of such infectious agents, considered en masse.
"Not much virus was detectable on a nucleic acid test; the viral load was very low."
- A disease caused by such an infectious agent; a viral illness.
"He's got a virus and had to stay home from school."