cowpox
noun
cow·pox
ˈkau̇-ˌpäks 
: a mild eruptive disease of the cow that is caused by a poxvirus (species Cowpox virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus) and that when communicated to humans protects against smallpox
Examples of cowpox in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenner inoculated an 8-year-old boy using matter from a cowpox sore on the hand of a milkmaid.
—
Chris Mueller, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Nov. 2024
Case in point: nearly a century before Albert Nobel died in 1896, Edward Jenner demonstrated that inoculation with cowpox, a relatively mild virus, confers immunity against smallpox.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
The virus belongs to a large family of viruses known to cause disease in humans and other animals, including smallpox, or variola, cowpox, Alaskapox, and vaccinia, a weakened form of which is used in mpox and smallpox vaccines.
—Robert Hart, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
The immunization had been successful, supporting conventional wisdom that those who survived cowpox seemed to be immune to smallpox disease.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for cowpox
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chris Mueller, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Nov. 2024
Case in point: nearly a century before Albert Nobel died in 1896, Edward Jenner demonstrated that inoculation with cowpox, a relatively mild virus, confers immunity against smallpox.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
The virus belongs to a large family of viruses known to cause disease in humans and other animals, including smallpox, or variola, cowpox, Alaskapox, and vaccinia, a weakened form of which is used in mpox and smallpox vaccines.
—Robert Hart, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
The immunization had been successful, supporting conventional wisdom that those who survived cowpox seemed to be immune to smallpox disease.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for cowpox
Articles Related to cowpox
Cite this Entry
“Cowpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cowpox. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cowpox
noun
cow·pox
ˈkau̇-ˌpäks
: a mild disease of the cow that is caused by a virus and that when passed on to human beings produces a temporary rash and protects against smallpox
Medical Definition
cowpox
noun
cow·pox
ˈkau̇-ˌpäks
: a mild eruptive disease of the cow that is caused by a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Cowpox virus) and that when communicated to humans protects against smallpox
called also variola vaccinia
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share