Norwalk virus

noun

Nor·​walk virus ˈnȯr-ˌwȯk- How to pronounce Norwalk virus (audio)
: a highly infectious virus first identified as the causative agent of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968

Note: Norwalk virus was later officially classified as a norovirus (species Norwalk virus). While the originally identified virus and closely related forms may still be referred to as Norwalk viruses, they are now more commonly called noroviruses.

Examples of Norwalk virus 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.
The Norwalk virus! —Mark Shimabukuro, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Norwalk, Ohio, site of an outbreak of the virus in 1968

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Norwalk virus was in 1983

Dictionary Entries Near Norwalk virus

Norwalk

Norwalk virus

norward

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Norwalk virus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Norwalk%20virus. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

Norwalk virus

noun
Nor·​walk virus ˈnȯ(ə)r-ˌwȯk- How to pronounce Norwalk virus (audio)
variants also Norwalk agent
: a highly infectious virus first identified as the causative agent of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968

Note: Norwalk virus was later officially classified as a norovirus (species Norwalk virus). While the originally identified virus and closely related forms may still be referred to as Norwalk viruses, they are now more commonly called noroviruses.

Norwalk viruses are important causes of both sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis.—Melvin A. Kohn, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
sweet smart pug puppy dog sitting in front of blackboard with chalk question marks
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 3 Do you have a (flare/flair) for choosing the righ...