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
Starting in 1966, the unit’s officers were deployed to West Africa to assist in a worldwide smallpox eradication campaign that laid the groundwork for eliminating the disease 13 years later.
—
Casey Luc, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
History shows that smallpox first arose around 1000 B.C. in Egypt and India.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
The only human disease to have reached this status is smallpox.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2025
Before the advent of routine childhood vaccinations, many more kids used to regularly die from diseases like the measles and smallpox.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smallpox
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Casey Luc, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
History shows that smallpox first arose around 1000 B.C. in Egypt and India.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
The only human disease to have reached this status is smallpox.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2025
Before the advent of routine childhood vaccinations, many more kids used to regularly die from diseases like the measles and smallpox.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smallpox
Cite this Entry
“Smallpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smallpox. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 minorLove words? Need even more definitions?
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