retrovirus

noun

ret·​ro·​vi·​rus ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs 

: any of a family (Retroviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that produce reverse transcriptase by means of which DNA is produced using their RNA as a template and incorporated into the genome of infected cells, that are often tumorigenic, and that include the lentiviruses (such as the HIVs) and the causative agent of Rous sarcoma

retroviral

ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəl 

adjective

Examples of retrovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Koalas are also vulnerable to cancers, fungal infections, herpes, parasites, kidney problems, mange, and a retrovirus that might leave them immunocompromised. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024

The trial described involved using a retrovirus to deliver a functional copy of the missing or defective gene into the patient's cells. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Researchers at the retrovirus conference presented favorable results from two HIV vaccine studies. —Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024

However, when an RNA-containing retrovirus infects a host cell, the RNA is converted to DNA and then inserted into the cell’s genome. —Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

retrovirus

noun

ret·​ro·​vi·​rus ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs 

: any of a group of RNA-containing viruses (as HIV) that replicate by becoming incorporated into the chromosomes of infected cells in the form of DNA which is produced from the viral RNA

Medical Definition

retrovirus

noun

ret·​ro·​vi·​rus ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs 

: any of the family Retroviridae of single-stranded RNA viruses

called also RNA tumor virus

retroviral

-rəl 

adjective

retrovirally

-ē 

adverb