SARS-CoV-2
noun
: 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
In its place now stands a site promoting the unproven idea that the pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2 was generated in and leaked from a lab in China, sparking the global health crisis.
—
ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
In one of their earlier studies, the Penn team added an antiviral protein called CTB-ACE2 to gum, which neutralized over 95 percent of SARS-CoV-2 particles in the saliva of COVID-19 patients, including major variants like beta, delta, and omicron.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Above: Inspectors in Oakland, Calif., collect samples to send to labs that will try to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
But tests for influenza A, B, and SARS-CoV-2, which could be responsible for these symptoms, reportedly came back negative.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 first spilled over to humans from wild animals sold in the Huanan live animal market in Wuhan, China.
—Bradley J. Cardinale, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Back in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, scientists at Pfizer revealed the development of a novel antiviral molecule, designed to hinder the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s ability to replicate.
—Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 18 Mar. 2025
As the SARS-CoV-2 virus quickly spread around the globe, weaknesses in the world's ability to respond to an infectious disease outbreak became apparent – from an inability to get critical medical supplies to those in need to limits on tracking the disease.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025
In one of their earlier studies, the Penn team added an antiviral protein called CTB-ACE2 to gum, which neutralized over 95 percent of SARS-CoV-2 particles in the saliva of COVID-19 patients, including major variants like beta, delta, and omicron.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Above: Inspectors in Oakland, Calif., collect samples to send to labs that will try to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
But tests for influenza A, B, and SARS-CoV-2, which could be responsible for these symptoms, reportedly came back negative.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Epidemiological and genetic studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 first spilled over to humans from wild animals sold in the Huanan live animal market in Wuhan, China.
—Bradley J. Cardinale, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Back in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, scientists at Pfizer revealed the development of a novel antiviral molecule, designed to hinder the SARS-CoV-2 virus’s ability to replicate.
—Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 18 Mar. 2025
As the SARS-CoV-2 virus quickly spread around the globe, weaknesses in the world's ability to respond to an infectious disease outbreak became apparent – from an inability to get critical medical supplies to those in need to limits on tracking the disease.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“SARS-CoV-2.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SARS-CoV-2. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
SARS-CoV-2
noun
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share