1
: either of two retroviruses (species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 of the genus Lentivirus) that infect and destroy helper T cells of the immune system and that when left untreated cause AIDS

Note: HIV retroviruses are transmitted through contact with blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids, or breast milk and typically cause flu-like symptoms during the acute phase of infection, but often cause few or no symptoms during the chronic phase of infection when treated with antiretroviral drugs.

… the longer people are infected with HIV and the more immune-deficient they become, the more readily they seem to pass HIV to others.Robert R. Redfield et al.
Years of careful research have proven beyond doubt that the HIV virus causes AIDS, that antiretroviral drug treatment saves lives, and that the drug nevirapine is safe and effective in preventing the spread of HIV from mothers to their babies.Richard Marlink et al.

called also AIDS virus, human immunodeficiency virus

compare hiv-1, hiv-2
2
: the infection or disease caused by HIV
Early symptoms of HIV develop in 50 to 90 percent of people who are infected, usually beginning two to four weeks after exposure. … Because the signs and symptoms of … HIV may be similar to other common illnesses, such as mononucleosis, most people do not initially realize that they have HIV.Paul E. Sax

Examples of HIV in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In many ways, Pose, which dealt with a wide spectrum of issues, including HIV and death, helped Canals clearly communicate that to Brinson and, in turn, the audience. Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024 Complications are more likely to develop in people with a weakened immune system, such as those with cancer or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and organ transplant recipients. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Nov. 2024 That’s largely the grim toll of the HIV disease that afflicts 8.4% of Malawi’s female population ages 15 to 49, and 6.7% of that age group overall, according to UNAIDS figures. John Corrigan, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 This year, the system got an inclusive upgrade with the addition of new scenes featuring patients who are transgender, Black, or living with stigmatized conditions such as HIV and mpox. Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for HIV 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'HIV.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of HIV was in 1986

Dictionary Entries Near HIV

Cite this Entry

“HIV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HIV. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

: any of a group of viruses that infect and destroy helper T cells causing the marked reduction in their numbers that is diagnostic of AIDS

Medical Definition

1
: either of two retroviruses (species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 of the genus Lentivirus) that infect and destroy helper T cells of the immune system and that when left untreated cause AIDS

Note: HIV retroviruses are transmitted through contact with blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids, or breast milk and typically cause flu-like symptoms during the acute phase of infection, but often cause few or no symptoms during the chronic phase of infection when treated with antiretroviral drugs.

called also AIDS virus, human immunodeficiency virus

compare hiv-1, hiv-2
2
: the infection or disease caused by HIV
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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