rhinovirus

noun

rhi·​no·​vi·​rus ˌrī-nō-ˈvī-rəs 

: any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of picornaviruses including two (species Human rhinovirus A and Human rhinovirus B) having numerous serotypes causing respiratory infections (such as the common cold) in humans

Examples of rhinovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Three of the household members tested negative for influenza, but the sickened adolescent had a positive lab result for rhinovirus and enterovirus, which are different than bird flu. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

These include rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and seasonal coronaviruses. —Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2025

Most commonly, these samples were positive for influenza A virus, rhinoviruses, or SARS-CoV-2 virus, the pathogen that causes Covid-19. —Dave Wessner, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Patients had acute respiratory infections — think COVID, flu or rhinoviruses — complicated by malaria as well as widespread malnutrition. —Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rhinovirus

• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• parvovirus
• reovirus
• retrovirus
• rotavirus
• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• cytomegalovirus

Medical Definition

rhinovirus

noun

rhi·​no·​vi·​rus ˌrī-nō-ˈvī-rəs 

: any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Picornaviridae including two species (Human rhinovirus A and Human rhinovirus B) having numerous serotypes that cause respiratory infections (as the common cold) in humans