ribavirin

noun

ri·​ba·​vi·​rin ˌrī-bə-ˈvī-rən How to pronounce ribavirin (audio)
: a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside C8H12N4O5

Examples of ribavirin 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.
Health officials say treatment options may include an antiviral drug called ribavirin, which is most effective if given early on, and supportive therapy like painkillers and rehydration to help relieve symptoms. — Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024 Infections are treated with the antiviral drug ribavirin. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from ribonucleic acid + virus + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribavirin was in 1974

Browse Nearby Words

ribavirin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ribavirin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribavirin. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

ribavirin

noun
ri·​ba·​vi·​rin ˌrī-bə-ˈvī-rən How to pronounce ribavirin (audio)
: a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral drug C8H12N4O5 that is a nucleoside resembling guanosine

More from Merriam-Webster on ribavirin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ribavirin

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 More

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

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

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

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

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

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

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
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All