coronavirus

American  

[kuh-roh-nuh-vahy-ruhs] / kəˈroʊ nəˌvaɪ rəs /

noun

coronaviruses plural

1. any of various RNA-containing spherical viruses of the family Coronaviridae, including several that cause acute respiratory illnesses.

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coronavirus British  

/ kəˈrəʊnəˌvaɪrəs /

noun

1. a type of airborne virus accounting for 10-30% of all colds

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Etymology

Origin of coronavirus

First recorded in 1965–70; so called from the coronalike array of spikes projecting from the capsid

Compare meaning

How does coronavirus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• bubonic plague vs. coronavirus

Explanation

A coronavirus is a specific type of microbe that can cause an infectious disease. One particular coronavirus, first identified in 2019, caused a worldwide pandemic. If you look at a coronavirus under a microscope, you'll see its round, spiky, crownlike shape. That's where this virus gets its name; corona means "crown" in Latin. People talked about coronaviruses a lot in 2020 because of Covid-19 (an acronym for coronavirus disease of 2019). But these viruses have been around for generations, and they're usually not so deadly. In fact, coronaviruses are responsible for the common cold, as well as illnesses affecting birds and non-human mammals.

Example Sentences

Revenue from subscriptions and streaming services boomed during the pandemic when coronavirus restrictions prevented people from attending live concerts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Sentiment was worse in May than any point during the 2020-21 coronavirus pandemic.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

At one point, the luxury ship accounted for a remarkable 50 percent of all confirmed coronavirus cases.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

But residents living nearby raised concerns at the time of hosting potential carries of coronavirus so close to home.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Considering the 2020 S&P 500 drop of around 34% at the start of the coronavirus pandemic as the last big one, that could make the next crash due within a few years.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026