: either of two diseases caused by herpesviruses (species Human herpesvirus 1 and Human herpesvirus 2 of the genus Simplexvirus) and marked especially by watery blisters on the skin or mucous membranes of the lips, mouth, face, or genital region

Examples of herpes simplex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The often painful blister usually appears around the lips or mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 20 Dec. 2024 And then there's the fact that there are two types of herpes simplex virus that cause genital herpes – HSV-1 and HSV-2. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024 Infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is for life. New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2024 There are two forms of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2, both spread via skin-to-skin contact. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for herpes simplex 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, simple herpes

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of herpes simplex was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near herpes simplex

Cite this Entry

“Herpes simplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herpes%20simplex. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

herpes simplex

noun
: either of two kinds of herpes marked in one case by groups of watery blisters on the skin and mucous membranes (as of the mouth and lips) above the waist and in the other by such blisters on the genitalia

Medical Definition

herpes simplex

noun
: either of two viral diseases caused by herpesviruses of the genus Simplexvirus that are marked especially by watery blisters on the skin or mucous membranes of the lips, mouth, face, or genital region see hsv-1, hsv-2

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