coronavirus

[ kuh-roh-nuh-vahy-ruhs ]

/ kəˈroʊ nəˌvaɪ rəs /

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noun, plural co·ro·na·vi·rus·es.

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

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Origin of coronavirus

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

Words nearby coronavirus

coronary vein, coronate, coronation, coronation chicken, coronavirologist, coronavirus, coroner, coronet, coroneted, coronitis, coronium

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coronavirus in a sentence

Type in “coronavirus” and see for yourself the peaks and valleys in consumer interest.
A comprehensive guide on using Google Trends for keyword research|Aayush Gupta|February 12, 2021|Search Engine Watch
At Alabama, where Coach Nick Saban was isolated at home following a positive coronavirus test, players’ families were kept in the stands and shown on the video board.
For this college football team, covid means the season starts in February — with Senior Day|Glynn A. Hill|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
The Vegas Golden Knights scrapped their media availability after a win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night, a decision that was related to coronavirus issues.
The Caps are dealing with an unexpected break. They hope to use it to recover and reset.|Samantha Pell|February 10, 2021|Washington Post
Peter Ben Embarek, the Danish WHO food safety expert leading the international team, said his group will not recommend further investigation into the theory that the virus accidentally leaked from labs conducting coronavirus research.
WHO team in Wuhan dismisses lab leak theory, continues hunt for intermediary coronavirus host|Gerry Shih|February 9, 2021|Washington Post

The Chiefs spent the week leading up to the game in Kansas City, practicing at their own facility, because of changes to the usual Super Bowl procedures brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid involved in car accident that injured two children|Mark Maske|February 8, 2021|Washington Post
Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly identified H7N9 flu as MERS coronavirus.
A Scarier Bird Flu: CDC Chief Warns of Looming H7N9 Threat|Eliza Shapiro|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His doctors found a new virus in his respiratory secretions—a coronavirus, of the same family of viruses that causes SARS.
Hajj Health Scare: Could a New Virus Spread?|Kent Sepkowitz|October 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And he too was subsequently found to have coronavirus—in fact the same strain as the first patient.
Hajj Health Scare: Could a New Virus Spread?|Kent Sepkowitz|October 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for coronavirus

coronavirus

/ (kəˈrəʊnəˌvaɪrəs) /

noun

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

Word Origin for coronavirus

C20: so-called because of their corona-like appearance in electron micrographs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012