virology
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- virological adjective
- virologist noun
Etymology
Origin of virology
Explanation
Virology is the science of viruses and the diseases they cause. Many virology experts have studied the way the Covid-19 virus mutates and spreads. The field of virology is vital to understanding infections caused by viruses — not only Covid-19 and influenza, but also rubella, hepatitis, and AIDS. Scientists who specialize in virology are virologists, and they research the way viruses behave, change, and spread between people or animals. Virology experts are also key to developing cures and treatments for viral illnesses. Virology derives from virus and its Latin root, which means "poison."
Vocabulary lists containing virology
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for October 14–October 20, 2023
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Microbiology - High School
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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.
"This model reflects the responses of the human body much more accurately than the conventional cell lines used for virology research," Foxman says.
From Science Daily • Jan. 22, 2026
With no cases reported since 2018, Tamas Petrovic, head of virology at the Scientific Veterinary Institute in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, said the Balkans' response could offer lessons for this new outbreak.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
Meanwell was born and raised in Louth in the U.K. and went on to study virology at the University of Birmingham.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025
The DUP minister said of the Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin: "Wasn't aware of his qualifications in virology."
From BBC • May 15, 2024
Southam was a well-respected cancer researcher and chief of virology at Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
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.
