norovirus

noun

nor·​o·​virus ˈnȯr-ə-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce norovirus (audio)
: any of a genus (Norovirus) of small, round, single-stranded RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows, pigs, and dogs)
People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.Cherie Black

Note: In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

see norwalk virus

Examples of norovirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
About one in 15 Americans will get norovirus annually, and one out of 160 children will be hospitalized. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025 According to the federal health agency, every year the norovirus causes between 19 and 21 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025 People close to the situation have told The Times’ Jack Harris that Betts had the norovirus. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025 For one, there aren't a lot of good laboratory models and animal systems to run norovirus experiments or test candidate drugs. Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for norovirus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from English Norwalk virus + New Latin -o- + virus

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of norovirus was in 2002

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Norovirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/norovirus. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

norovirus

noun
nor·​o·​virus ˌnȯr-ō-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce norovirus (audio)
1
capitalized : a genus of small, round, single-stranded, highly infectious RNA viruses that includes a single species (species Norwalk virus) with various strains causing gastroenteritis in people and animals (such as cows and dogs)
2
: any virus of the genus Norovirus
People spread the virus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth or having direct contact with another person who is infected.Cherie Black, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Note: In people, noroviruses cause gastroenteritis marked chiefly by sudden onset, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

see norwalk virus
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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