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

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash with blisters that develops when the virus that causes chickenpox, varicella zoster, becomes active again later in life.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

Other diseases on the AAP’s recommended schedule for immunizations include chickenpox, measles and polio.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 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

He still felt weak, and his skin was covered with itchy chickenpox blisters.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer