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
Jurin then compared the level of risk with the larger risk of dying from contracting actual smallpox and found that inoculation was safer.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
Two of the most prominent were smallpox and polio—both largely conquered in the U.S. with vaccines.
—Dr. Hannah Wunsch, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took a leading role in the eradication of smallpox and the ongoing global polio eradication campaign.
—Lawrence O. Gostin, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2025
Inspired by the eradication of smallpox in 1979, then-Rotary President Clem Renouff of Australia proposed the organization pursue an audacious goal: to make polio the second disease eradicated from the world.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smallpox 
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.
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025
Two of the most prominent were smallpox and polio—both largely conquered in the U.S. with vaccines.
—Dr. Hannah Wunsch, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took a leading role in the eradication of smallpox and the ongoing global polio eradication campaign.
—Lawrence O. Gostin, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2025
Inspired by the eradication of smallpox in 1979, then-Rotary President Clem Renouff of Australia proposed the organization pursue an audacious goal: to make polio the second disease eradicated from the world.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smallpox
Articles Related to smallpox
Dictionary Entries Near smallpox
Cite this Entry
“Smallpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smallpox. Accessed 23 Jan. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share