smallpox
noun
small·pox
ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks 
: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination
called also variola
Examples of smallpox in a Sentence
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The program has a long, rich history since its establishment in 1951, which includes contributing to the eradication of smallpox, among other achievements.
—
Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
The agency also regularly inspects the smallpox labs for safety lapses.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Hauksbee wrote that he himself had been inspired by the methods of English physician James Jurin, who in the 1720s published outcomes of inoculating people against smallpox, a precursor to smallpox vaccination.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The impact of specific vaccines has been remarkable: The smallpox vaccine led to the complete eradication of the disease, declared by the World Health Organization in 1980.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025
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Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
The agency also regularly inspects the smallpox labs for safety lapses.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Hauksbee wrote that he himself had been inspired by the methods of English physician James Jurin, who in the 1720s published outcomes of inoculating people against smallpox, a precursor to smallpox vaccination.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
The impact of specific vaccines has been remarkable: The smallpox vaccine led to the complete eradication of the disease, declared by the World Health Organization in 1980.
—A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smallpox
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Cite this Entry
“Smallpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smallpox. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smallpox
noun
small·pox
ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks
: a sometimes deadly disease that is caused by a virus, is characterized by fever and a skin rash, and is believed to have been wiped out worldwide as a result of vaccination
Medical Definition
smallpox
noun
small·pox
ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks
: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus), is characterized by skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination
called also variola
see variola major, variola minorLove words? Need even more definitions?
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