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

Recent Examples on the Web

Children long have been disproportionately affected, but adults have recently become more vulnerable partly because the smallpox vaccine, which protects against mpox, has not been routinely used since that disease was eradicated more than 4 decades ago. —Byjon Cohen, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024

In the 1800s, as a much safer smallpox vaccine was developed, many cities and states started requiring smallpox vaccination. —Jon Lapook, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2024

One of my public health professors working in Africa on the smallpox eradication effort was briefly given safe passage to enter a rebel compound and vaccinate a group of fighters. —Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

The smallpox vaccine offered excellent protection against monkeypox, and with the end of smallpox came the end of worldwide compulsory smallpox vaccination. —Larry Brilliant, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1562, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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 minor