: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (such as Kaposi's sarcoma) that become life-threatening and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (such as semen) during sexual intercourse
Examples of AIDS in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Indeed, there have been over 100 books published on HIV/AIDS since 2020, coinciding with the start of the COVID pandemic.
—
Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Lawmakers found $75 million to continue the drug assistance program for people with HIV/AIDS who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Advocates say flat funding in the face of federal budget cuts will also damage the state’s HIV and AIDS prevention and education efforts.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Which means there are fewer community and health workers to support low-income people with HIV and AIDS.
—NPR, 27 May 2026
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Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Lawmakers found $75 million to continue the drug assistance program for people with HIV/AIDS who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Advocates say flat funding in the face of federal budget cuts will also damage the state’s HIV and AIDS prevention and education efforts.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Which means there are fewer community and health workers to support low-income people with HIV and AIDS.
—NPR, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for AIDS
Cite this Entry
“AIDS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AIDS. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
AIDS
noun
: a serious disease of the human immune system marked by destruction of a large proportion of the helper T cells in the body due to infection by the HIV virus commonly transmitted especially in blood and semen
Medical Definition
AIDS
noun
: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by a reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some that become life threatening (as Kaposi's sarcoma) and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (as semen) during sexual intercourse
called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
