smallpox
noun
small·pox
ˈsmȯl-ˌpäks 
: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (Orthopoxvirus variola), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and has been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination
called also variola
Examples of smallpox in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The introduction of vaccines dramatically reduced certain diseases, including smallpox, polio, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
George Washington ordered all of his formations to be vaccinated against smallpox the following year.
—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Light seven lanterns if, in lieu of an invasion, there is another smallpox outbreak.
—
Evan Allgood,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
The procedure, called variolation, involved deliberately infecting a soldier with a small amount of smallpox virus to build immunity.
—
Katrine L. Wallace,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smallpox
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Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
George Washington ordered all of his formations to be vaccinated against smallpox the following year.
—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Light seven lanterns if, in lieu of an invasion, there is another smallpox outbreak.
—
Evan Allgood,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
The procedure, called variolation, involved deliberately infecting a soldier with a small amount of smallpox virus to build immunity.
—
Katrine L. Wallace,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smallpox
Cite this Entry
“Smallpox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smallpox. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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 (Orthopoxvirus variola), is characterized by skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and has been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination
called also variola
see variola major, variola minorLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
