subvariant

American  

[suhb-vair-ee-uhnt] / ˈsʌbˌvɛər i ənt /

noun

1. Microbiology, Pathology. a genetically distinct form of a virus, bacteria, or other microorganism, which arises when a variant of the original strain mutates.

2. in a classification or hierarchy, a distinct, often more specialized type of something that is itself one of a subset of a broader or higher category; subtype.

   Each fighter plane in the A-series was eventually issued in the subvariants of fighter-bomber and bomber-destroyer.

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Etymology

Origin of subvariant

First recorded in 1900–05; sub- ( def. ) + variant ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subvariant

It could be that the summers of 2024 and 2025 happened to feature new coronavirus strains that spread quickly, like the FLiRT subvariant of 2024 and the Nimbus and Stratus subvariants of 2025, Chin-Hong said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

In November, BA.3.2 was identified in a wastewater sample in Rhode Island; and among patients, the first detections of the new subvariant were found in three different states in December and early January.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

It’s not a surefire bet the Cicada subvariant will bring a summer of misery, however.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

Over the autumn and winter, about 30% of coronavirus samples analyzed in three European countries — Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark — were the Cicada subvariant, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

However, the intended effectiveness of the flu vaccine against symptomatic disease caused by the new subvariant remains uncertain, the World Health Organization said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

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