mumps

noun

ˈməmps 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: an acute contagious virus disease caused by a paramyxovirus (species Mumps virus of the genus Rubulavirus) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland

Examples of mumps in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vaccines protect us so thoroughly against childhood infections that many formerly common infections–including measles, mumps, and Haemophilus influenza–have almost disappeared. —Steven Salzberg, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023

For example, the U.S. had recorded vaccination levels from the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine close to or above 95% for several years leading up to the pandemic — a share that has slipped to 93.5% nationwide. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2023

At one point, Katharine has mumps and Andy has shingles. —Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2023

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services requires students to be fully immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis A and chickenpox. —Dallas News, 17 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

from plural of obsolete mump grimace

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mumps

singular or plural noun

ˈməm(p)s 

: a contagious disease caused by a virus and marked by fever and by swelling especially of salivary glands

Medical Definition

mumps

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

ˈməm(p)s 

: an acute contagious virus disease caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Rubulavirus (species Mumps virus) and marked by fever and by swelling especially of the parotid gland

called also epidemic parotitis