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. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subvariant

It’s also not projected to be a particularly fast-growing subvariant, nor a dominant one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

According to the California Department of Public Health, the Cicada subvariant remains at low levels in the state’s wastewater, and there have been no reports of increased severity of illness among those who were infected.

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

The dreaded norovirus — the “vomiting bug” that often causes stomach flu symptoms — is climbing again in California, and doctors warn that a new subvariant could make even more people sick this season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 13, 2025

“It looks like a bit of a mismatch between the seasonal flu vaccine strains” and the new subvariant, Hudson said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025