norovirus

noun

nor·​o·​virus ˈnȯr-ə-ˌvī-rəs 

: any of a genus (Norovirus) of small, round, single-stranded RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows, pigs, and dogs)

People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.

—Cherie Black

Note: In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

see norwalk virus

Examples of norovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What To Know The CDC this week said that norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. have hit their highest level since 2012. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

The outbreak followed separate norovirus outbreaks on Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess in a voyage that ended Dec. 18 and a cruise on Holland America’s Zuiderdam that ended Dec. 14. —Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 1 Jan. 2025

Locally, the Michigan Disease Surveillance System reported 1,395 norovirus cases in 2024, higher than the previous four years, though similar to cases reported in 2022. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 30 Dec. 2024

Driving the news: There were 91 norovirus outbreaks reported during the week of Dec. 5, according to data recently published by the CDC. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from English Norwalk virus + New Latin -o- + virus

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

norovirus

noun

nor·​o·​virus ˌnȯr-ō-ˈvī-rəs 

1

capitalized : a genus of small, round, single-stranded, highly infectious RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows and dogs)

2

: any virus of the genus Norovirus

People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.

—Cherie Black, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Note: In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

see norwalk virus