smallpox

noun

small·​pox ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks 

: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination

called also variola

Examples of smallpox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The disease is thought to be caused by a virus that jumped from animals to humans and causes symptoms similar to smallpox. —Charles Ebikeme, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

There may be no greater demonstration of vaccines’ power to deliver health equity than their success with smallpox. —Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Stories are still told in tribal communities of how U.S. Army personnel and other government agents would distribute blankets later found to be laden with smallpox to Indigenous peoples in the 1700s and 1800s. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2024

What was the primary mode of smallpox transmission? —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

smallpox

noun

small·​pox ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks 

: a sometimes deadly disease that is caused by a virus, is characterized by fever and a skin rash, and is believed to have been wiped out worldwide as a result of vaccination

Medical Definition

smallpox

noun

small·​pox ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks 

: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus), is characterized by skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination

called also variola

see variola major, variola minor