chicken pox

noun

: an acute contagious disease especially of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and caused by a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 3 of the genus Varicellovirus) compare shingles

Examples of chicken pox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The aim is to intentionally spread the disease to create immunity — as parents have attempted in the past by exposing kids to chicken pox (varicella) Now parents in Texas seem to be trying to spread measles. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025

That’s significantly lower than the state average of roughly 94% for vaccines covering diphtheria, hepatitis, measles, polio and chicken pox, according to health department data. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025

According to the Mayo Clinic, it's caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

The findings built on a growing body of evidence implicating the herpes virus in neurodegenerative disease and also turned research attention to a second virus that causes chicken pox. —Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chicken pox

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• equinox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks
• blocks
• blocs

Kids Definition

chicken pox

noun

: a contagious virus disease especially of children marked by low fever and a rash or small watery blisters

Medical Definition

chicken pox

noun

: an acute contagious disease especially of children that is marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles and that is caused by a herpesvirus of the genus Varicellovirus (species Human herpesvirus 3)

called also varicella

see shingles