antiviral

American  

[an-tahy-vahy-ruhl, an-tee-] / ˌæn taɪˈvaɪ rəl, ˌæn ti- /

adjective

1. Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.

   1. (of a drug or therapy) developed to effectively treat an infection caused by a virus.

   2. of or relating to a substance used to prevent or treat a viral infection.

      Raw garlic has been found to have antiviral properties.

2. Computers. (of software) programmed to detect, neutralize, and remove computer viruses.

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noun

1. Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology. an antiviral drug, other substance, or therapy.

antiviral British  

/ ˌæntɪˈvaɪrəl /

adjective

1. inhibiting the growth of viruses

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noun

1. any antiviral drug: used to treat diseases caused by viruses, such as herpes infections and AIDS

Etymology

Origin of antiviral

First recorded in 1925–30; anti- ( def. ) + viral ( def. )

Explanation

An antiviral medication is one used to treat a patient with a serious case of a virus like the flu or Ebola. To be prescribed an antiviral drug, a patient has to be pretty sick. If you get a mild case of the flu you don't need this kind of medication, but someone who's so ill they end up in the hospital may be given antivirals. Just like the word implies, antivirals attack certain viruses; they do this by boosting the immune system or blocking receptors so the virus can't attach to healthy cells.

Example Sentences

The secretary’s declaration extends liability protections for companies that manufacture and distribute the experimental antiviral drug favipiravir, which has shown promise to treat hantavirus in lab studies.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

One of the treatments, an antiviral called remdesivir made by US pharma firm Gilead, has been tested on humans for the Zaire Ebola strain, but not for Bundibugyo.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

"We are working on improving our understanding of how the virus divides, transmits, and thinking about how current antiviral treatments can be used as a new treatment," she said.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Typically spread through exposure to infected rodents’ urine and droppings, it’s notoriously difficult to diagnose and has no specified antiviral treatment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

It proved resistant to every one of the antibiotics and antiviral agents in the Lancet's stockroom.

From Star Surgeon by Nourse, Alan Edward