AIDS

noun

: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (such as Kaposi's sarcoma) that become life-threatening and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (such as semen) during sexual intercourse

Examples of AIDS 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.
But the approval of effective HIV treatment in 1996 reduced the public’s fear of AIDS. Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 That measure would limit how certain healthcare providers spend revenues from a federal prescription drug program, with the most obvious target being the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024 His administration also banned people with HIV from military deployment, disbanded the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and slashed global funding for HIV prevention and treatment. Nico Lang, Them, 6 Nov. 2024 This would only apply to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, limiting the group's ability to fund ballot initiatives in future elections. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for AIDS 

Word History

Etymology

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of AIDS was in 1982

Cite this Entry

“AIDS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AIDS. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

AIDS

noun
: a serious disease of the human immune system marked by destruction of a large proportion of the helper T cells in the body due to infection by the HIV virus commonly transmitted especially in blood and semen

Medical Definition

AIDS

noun
: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by a reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some that become life threatening (as Kaposi's sarcoma) and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (as semen) during sexual intercourse

called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

More from Merriam-Webster on AIDS

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