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

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

The trend has public health experts worried about the population being more vulnerable to outbreaks as more parents opt out of the shots for measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough — among others. —Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

As was typically the case, Trump offered no further specifics, but all 50 states mandate not only MMR vaccinations, but shots against polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and chicken pox for all schoolchildren. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2024

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