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RNA virus

American  

noun

  1. any virus containing RNA; retrovirus.

RNA virus Scientific  

  1. A virus whose genome is composed of RNA. Retroviruses are RNA viruses.

  2. Compare DNA virus

Etymology

Origin of RNA virus

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

First, she found that an RNA virus that caused encephalitis in mice lingered in their neurons.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 11, 2024

There are numerous RNA virus species on Earth.

From Science Daily • Jan. 31, 2024

It is caused by the animal-borne RNA virus of the same Filoviridae family as the Ebola virus, which has killed thousands of people during outbreaks that health workers struggled to control.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2023

RSV is an RNA virus made up of 11 proteins, similar to influenza A, another RNA virus whose genes encode the same number of proteins.

From Scientific American • Nov. 4, 2022

For example, the fact that influenza is an RNA virus is one reason a new flu vaccine is needed every year.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.