retrovirus

noun

ret·​ro·​vi·​rus ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce retrovirus (audio)
: any of a family (Retroviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that produce reverse transcriptase by means of which DNA is produced using their RNA as a template and incorporated into the genome of infected cells, that are often tumorigenic, and that include the lentiviruses (such as the HIVs)
retroviral
ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəl How to pronounce retrovirus (audio)
adjective

Examples of retrovirus 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.
Of particular concern are ones called porcine endogenous retroviruses that hide out in the pig genome. — Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025 That requires a set of molecules and enzymes that don't exist in humans and are largely reserved for retroviruses. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025 The trial described involved using a retrovirus to deliver a functional copy of the missing or defective gene into the patient's cells. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 Researchers at the retrovirus conference presented favorable results from two HIV vaccine studies. — Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for retrovirus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrovirus was in 1975

Rhymes for retrovirus

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Browse Nearby Words

retrovirology
retrovirus
retry
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Cite this Entry

“Retrovirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrovirus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retrovirus

noun
ret·​ro·​vi·​rus ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce retrovirus (audio)
: any of a group of RNA-containing viruses (as HIV) that replicate by becoming incorporated into the chromosomes of infected cells in the form of DNA which is produced from the viral RNA

Medical Definition

retrovirus

noun
ret·​ro·​vi·​rus ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce retrovirus (audio)
: any of the family Retroviridae of single-stranded RNA viruses

called also RNA tumor virus

retroviral
-rəl How to pronounce retrovirus (audio)
adjective
retrovirally
-ē How to pronounce retrovirus (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on retrovirus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retrovirus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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