virulence
Americannoun
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quality of being virulent.
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Bacteriology.
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the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.
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the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.
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venomous hostility.
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intense sharpness of temper.
noun
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the quality of being virulent
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the capacity of a microorganism for causing disease
Discover More
“Virulent” substances or organisms are extremely pathogenic or toxic.
Etymology
Origin of virulence
1655–65; < Late Latin vīrulentia stench; see virulent, -ence
Explanation
Virulence is a harmful quality possessed by microorganisms that can cause disease. You can also use the noun virulence to describe someone's malicious actions. A virus spreads disease, and virulence is a quality possessed by viruses that are on the loose and spreading. This could be as common as the flu or as unusual as chemical warfare. You can also speak of the virulence of hostile, harmful words and actions. Publicly insulting and discrediting someone is an example of virulence. With either meaning, virulence indicates danger and harm. The Latin root is virulentus, "poisonous."
Vocabulary lists containing virulence
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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.
"These sugars are central to bacterial virulence, but they've been very hard to study," he said.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2026
“The Saudis understood that their dispute with the Emiratis had crossed into an anti-Israel posture of increasing virulence, that it was creating serious problems for them in Washington,” Dubowitz said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026
"These findings suggest that the PB2 T271A mutation is enhancing viral replication of the virus, contributing to both virulence and transmission in ferrets," Sutton said.
From Science Daily ● May 15, 2024
"So, we expected the virus might have a negative effect on Bd virulence and were stunned to find the opposite effect."
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2024
Even the Black Death, a symbol of virulence, was not as deadly as these epidemics are claimed to be.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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.
