rhinovirus

noun

rhi·​no·​vi·​rus ˌrī-nō-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce rhinovirus (audio)
: any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of picornaviruses including two (species Human rhinovirus A and Human rhinovirus B) having numerous serotypes causing respiratory infections (such as the common cold) in humans

Examples of rhinovirus 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.
How long cold germs can live on surfaces is variable; for example: Studies have found that rhinoviruses (which can cause the common cold) can live on hard, nonporous surfaces for several hours to days in some cases. Jennifer Welsh, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2025 Several hospitals have also reported a spike in kids with pneumonia, blamed on Mycoplasma pneumoniae alongside other germs like rhinovirus and enterovirus. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 18 Oct. 2024 Three of the household members tested negative for influenza, but the sickened adolescent had a positive lab result for rhinovirus and enterovirus, which are different than bird flu. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 These include rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and seasonal coronaviruses. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rhinovirus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhinovirus was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Rhinovirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhinovirus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

rhinovirus

noun
rhi·​no·​vi·​rus ˌrī-nō-ˈvī-rəs How to pronounce rhinovirus (audio)
: any of a genus (Rhinovirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Picornaviridae including two species (Human rhinovirus A and Human rhinovirus B) having numerous serotypes that cause respiratory infections (as the common cold) in humans

More from Merriam-Webster on rhinovirus

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