Virus: meaning, definitions and examples

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virus

[ˈvaɪrəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

infectious disease

A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.

Synonyms

infection, microorganism, pathogen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
virus	A virus is a type of microorganism that can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. It is often used when talking about specific illnesses like the flu or COVID-19. The doctor said Sarah has a common virus and should recover in a few days. The COVID-19 virus has affected millions of people worldwide.
pathogen	A pathogen is a microorganism that causes disease. It includes viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. It is often used in medical and scientific discussions. Proper hygiene can help prevent the spread of pathogens. The researchers identified the pathogen responsible for the outbreak.
microorganism	A microorganism is a microscopic organism, which may be a single-celled or multicellular entity. This term is used in scientific and educational contexts to refer to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Scientists are studying various microorganisms to understand their role in human disease. Microorganisms are essential for the decomposition process in nature.
infection	Infection is the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, which may or may not cause disease. It is a more general term and can refer to bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections. She has a throat infection that needs antibiotics to treat. Wounds that are not properly cleaned can develop an infection.

Examples of usage

Scientists are studying the virus to develop a vaccine.
The flu virus spreads easily from person to person.
The computer virus infected the entire network.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

computer technology

A virus is a piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.

Synonyms

malware, trojan, worm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
virus	Used to describe malicious software that attaches itself to a host program and replicates when the host program is executed. Commonly used in general speech about computer infections. My computer got infected with a virus, and I had to reinstall the operating system. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date to protect against new viruses.
malware	A broad term that refers to any kind of malicious software, including viruses, worms, trojans, and more. Used in technical and security contexts. The cybersecurity team scans for malware regularly to keep our systems safe. Educate employees about the risks of malware to prevent data breaches.
worm	Refers to a type of malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers, often over a network. Used in discussions about network security and specific threats. The worm spread through the office network, affecting multiple computers. Network security measures are crucial to prevent worm infections.
trojan	Refers to a type of malicious software that disguises itself as a legitimate program to gain access to systems. Often used in technical discussions about specific computer threats. The antivirus software detected a trojan hidden in the email attachment. Trojan horses can steal sensitive information from your computer without your knowledge.

Examples of usage

Make sure to update your antivirus software to protect your computer from viruses.
The email attachment contained a malicious virus.
The virus caused the computer to crash.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'virus', meaning 'poison' or 'slimy liquid'.
It was first used in the 19th century to describe infectious agents that could cause disease.

Science

Viruses are not considered living things because they cannot reproduce on their own; they need a host cell.
They can mutate quickly, making it challenging to develop vaccines or treatments for certain viral infections.
Most viruses are specific to the type of organisms they infect, such as animals, plants, or bacteria.

History

The first virus ever discovered was the Tobacco Mosaic Virus in 1892, which affects plants.
The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, attributed to a type of virus, infected about one-third of the world's population at the time.

Pop Culture

In video games, viruses are often depicted as villains or threats, like in 'Resident Evil' or 'The Last of Us'.
Movies like 'Contagion' and 'Outbreak' portray the societal impact of viral outbreaks, influencing public perception of viruses.

Psychology

The fear of viruses can cause anxiety and stress, leading people to adopt extreme hygiene practices.
‘Virus anxiety’ can affect mental health, especially during pandemics when there is heightened fear of infection.

Translations

Translations of the word "virus" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vírus

🇮🇳 वायरस

🇩🇪 Virus

🇮🇩 virus

🇺🇦 вірус

🇵🇱 wirus

🇯🇵 ウイルス

🇫🇷 virus

🇪🇸 virus

🇹🇷 virüs

🇰🇷 바이러스

🇸🇦 فيروس

🇨🇿 virus

🇸🇰 vírus

🇨🇳 病毒

🇸🇮 virus

🇮🇸 veira

🇰🇿 вирус

🇬🇪 ვირუსი

🇦🇿 virus

🇲🇽 virus

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,221, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3218 circular
3219 flood
3220 storm
3221 virus
3222 controlling
3223 eating
3224 dozen
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