mumps

American  

[muhmps] / mʌmps /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. an infectious disease characterized by inflammatory swelling of the parotid and usually other salivary glands, and sometimes by inflammation of the testes or ovaries, caused by a paramyxovirus.

---

mumps British  

/ mʌmps /

noun

1. Also called: epidemic parotitis.  (functioning as singular or plural) an acute contagious viral disease of the parotid salivary glands, characterized by swelling of the affected parts, fever, and pain beneath the ear: usually affects children

---

mumps Scientific  

/ mŭmps /

1. An infectious disease caused by a virus of the family Paramyxoviridae and the genus Rubulavirus, characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, and sometimes of the pancreas, testes, or ovaries. Vaccinations, usually given in early childhood, confer immunity to mumps.

---

mumps Cultural  

1. An acute and contagious disease marked by fever and inflammation of the salivary glands. Caused by a virus, mumps is normally a childhood disease that passes with no aftereffects.

---

Discover More

A child who has had mumps is immune from further infection by the mumps virus.

Other Word Forms

• mumpish adjective

Etymology

Origin of mumps

First recorded in 1590–1600; mump ¹ + -s ³

Example Sentences

The measles vaccine, which typically comes with mumps and rubella vaccines as well, is extremely effective.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

The vaccine will be combined with the existing MMR jab, given at 12 and 18 months of age, which already helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination rates have declined in 78% of surveyed U.S. counties since the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025

The advisers also removed the government’s recommendation of a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, or chickenpox, for children under the age of 4, instead recommending the varicella shot be given separately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

When an epidemic of mumps broke out in the school, Katie went into action against communicable diseases.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith