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zoster

American  
[zos-ter] / ˈzɒs tər /

noun

  1. Also called herpes zosterPathology. shingles.

  2. Greek Antiquity. a belt or girdle.


zoster British  
/ ˈzɒstə /

noun

  1. pathol short for herpes zoster

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of zoster

1595–1605; < Latin zōstēr < Greek zōstḗr girdle

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.

See Examples For:

The vaccine protects against herpes zoster, a condition that causes a painful rash and can sometimes lead to long-lasting nerve pain.

From Science Daily Mar. 20, 2026

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, resulting in a painful rash.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 6, 2025

Shingles is a rash brought on by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 30, 2025

It is caused by a reactivation of the Herpes zoster virus - the virus that causes chicken pox.

From BBC Jul. 25, 2024

It is a thick ribbed zoster that protects the hip joints of the king.

From Homer and His Age by Andrew Lang

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