virulence

American  

[vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-] / ˈvɪr yə ləns, ˈvɪr ə- /

Often virulency

noun

1. quality of being virulent.

2. Bacteriology.

   1. the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.

   2. the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.

3. venomous hostility.

4. intense sharpness of temper.

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virulence British  

/ ˈvɪrʊləns /

noun

1. the quality of being virulent

2. the capacity of a microorganism for causing disease

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virulence Cultural  

1. The capacity of a pathogen, such as a microorganism or toxin, to produce disease.

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“Virulent” substances or organisms are extremely pathogenic or toxic.

Etymology

Origin of virulence

1655–65; < Late Latin vīrulentia stench; virulent, -ence

Example Sentences

"These sugars are central to bacterial virulence, but they've been very hard to study," he said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 2026

“The Saudis understood that their dispute with the Emiratis had crossed into an anti-Israel posture of increasing virulence, that it was creating serious problems for them in Washington,” Dubowitz said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

"These findings suggest that the PB2 T271A mutation is enhancing viral replication of the virus, contributing to both virulence and transmission in ferrets," Sutton said.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

"When tested for its effects on the fungus' ability to attack frogs, it seemed to actually increase the virulence of the fungus against the frog."

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2024

Like Griffith, Avery observed that the smooth-coated bacteria, once transformed, retained their virulence generation upon generation.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee