SARS-CoV-2

noun

ˈsärz-kō-ˈvē-ˈtü 

: the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19

Examples of SARS-CoV-2 in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other viruses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, are also common during winter. —Jennifer Welsh, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2025

There are two theories about where the virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, originated. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025

As long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread, everyone is at risk of long Covid, Cohen said — and right now, evidence shows that recovery from the condition is rare. —Katie Camero, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025

The SARS-CoV-2 virus was already spreading around the world — and changing the world: health, science and society. —CNN, 7 Mar. 2025

Nearly everyone has now been exposed at least once to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. —Christian Ramers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

The study also speculated potential future Alzheimer’s problems may arise from the COVID-19 pandemic as SARS-CoV-2 infections have been known to reactivate dormant VSV and HSV-1 infections. —Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025

Some of the people with PVS also had higher levels of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which enables the virus to penetrate and infect host cells. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025

What actually happened was that SARS-CoV-2 began mutating quickly, first to be more transmissible and then to evade our immunity, causing breakthrough infections and reinfections. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2020, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

SARS-CoV-2

noun

ˈsärz-kō-ˈvē-ˈtü 

: the coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus) that is the causative agent of COVID-19 see delta variant, omicron variant