chickenpox

American  

[chik-uhn-poks] / ˈtʃɪk ənˌpɒks /

Or chicken pox

noun

1. a disease, commonly of children, caused by the varicella zoster virus and characterized by mild headache and fever, malaise, and eruption of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.

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chickenpox British  

/ ˈtʃɪkɪnˌpɒks /

noun

1. a highly communicable viral disease most commonly affecting children, characterized by slight fever and the eruption of a rash

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chickenpox Scientific  

/ chĭk′ən-pŏks′ /

1. A highly contagious infectious disease, usually of children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the genus Varicellavirus. The infection is characterized by fever, and itching skin blisters that start on the trunk of the body and spread to the extremities.

2. Also called varicella

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Etymology

Origin of chickenpox

First recorded in 1720–30

Explanation

Chickenpox is a very contagious illness that causes fevers and a spotty rash. It used to be common for almost every child to get chickenpox at some point. Today a vaccine protects kids from getting chickenpox — and though it's thought of as a mild childhood disease, it can be serious or even deadly. Once you've had chickenpox, or the series of shots, you're immune from getting it again. The origin of chickenpox is uncertain: it may come from the resemblance of the rash to tiny chickpeas, or chicken pecks. Alternately, the chicken may refer to "children," or be a contrast to the more serious smallpox.

Example Sentences

“Because it was known through experience that if these diseases were acquired as a child, they recovered pretty quickly. And there was no long-term damage. Whereas people who got chickenpox as adults suffered quite badly.”

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

It develops when the virus responsible for chickenpox becomes active again in the body, often years after the original infection.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

Health officials will continue to recommend the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines and those against polio, chickenpox and HPV.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026

Unlike Denmark, the U.S. will continue recommending that children be vaccinated against chickenpox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

Hers was the twinkle and the laughter infectious as chickenpox, and hers the gaiety that colored a day and spread to people so that they carried it away with them.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck