English · Body & Health
virus
/ˈvaɪ.rəs/
[/ˈvaɪ.rəs/]
tiny infectious agent
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A tiny agent that causes disease by reproducing inside the cells of a host.
Example
The flu is caused by a virus that spreads easily through coughs and sneezes.
The flu is caused by a virus that spreads easily through coughs and sneezes.
Etymology
From Latin 'virus', meaning poison.
How & Where It’s Used
Also a harmful computer program; central to talk of pandemics.