SARS-CoV-2
noun
: the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19
Examples of SARS-CoV-2 in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
WastewaterSCAN's dashboard shows high levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the wastewater nationally over the last 21 days, including in Michigan.
—
Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Therefore, a reminder, any reminder of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein at least every year or so, could keep your immune system more attuned.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
When the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants emerged in the spring and fall of 2021, mRNA vaccines became less effective in preventing infections.
—Deborah Fuller, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
This year's Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine targets the SARS-CoV-2 strain LP.8.1, a variant in the JN.1 family.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2025
The researchers conducted SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing twice a week to diagnose infection.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
When the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants emerged in the spring and fall of 2021, mRNA vaccines became less effective in preventing infections.
—Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
But this will be the first time since COVID vaccines were developed that many people in the U.S. will not have easy access to immunization against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, which has contributed to the deaths of more than 1.2 million Americans to date.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2025
File photo of an employee of the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) preparing the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 for vaccination in a vaccination center, taken in Bavaria, Germany, in January 2021.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
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Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Therefore, a reminder, any reminder of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein at least every year or so, could keep your immune system more attuned.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
When the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants emerged in the spring and fall of 2021, mRNA vaccines became less effective in preventing infections.
—Deborah Fuller, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
This year's Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine targets the SARS-CoV-2 strain LP.8.1, a variant in the JN.1 family.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2025
The researchers conducted SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing twice a week to diagnose infection.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
When the SARS-CoV-2 delta and omicron variants emerged in the spring and fall of 2021, mRNA vaccines became less effective in preventing infections.
—Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
But this will be the first time since COVID vaccines were developed that many people in the U.S. will not have easy access to immunization against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease, which has contributed to the deaths of more than 1.2 million Americans to date.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2025
File photo of an employee of the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) preparing the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 for vaccination in a vaccination center, taken in Bavaria, Germany, in January 2021.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“SARS-CoV-2.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SARS-CoV-2. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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SARS-CoV-2
noun
: the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19 see delta variant, omicron variant
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