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

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

Measles comes with a rash rather than the small bumps associated with chicken pox. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024

Lingering vaccine hesitancy from the pandemic is evident in pediatricians' offices as more parents opt out of the shots for measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough, among others, using non-medical religious exemptions. —Megan Morrone, Axios, 18 Sep. 2024

These include Epstein-Barr virus, varicella zoster (chicken pox), and Lyme disease. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

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