chickenpox

Or chick·en pox

[chik-uhn-poks]

noun

1. a disease, commonly of children, caused by the varicella zoster virus and characterized by mild headache and fever, malaise, and eruption of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.

chickenpox

/ ˈtʃɪkɪnˌpɒks /

noun

1. a highly communicable viral disease most commonly affecting children, characterized by slight fever and the eruption of a rash

chickenpox

1. A highly contagious infectious disease, usually of children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the genus Varicellavirus. The infection is characterized by fever, and itching skin blisters that start on the trunk of the body and spread to the extremities.

2. Also called varicella

Word History and Origins

Origin of chickenpox¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Florida currently requires vaccinations for students attending public schools, including protection against measles, mumps, chickenpox, hepatitis B and polio.

From Salon

The government this week said all young children in the UK would be offered a free chickenpox vaccine by the NHS from January 2026.

From BBC

Young children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will soon be offered a free chickenpox vaccine on the NHS.

From BBC

Ministers hope offering the vaccine free will not only protect youngsters from the severe, although rare, complications of chickenpox, but also save parents taking time off work to look after a sick child.

From BBC

Shingles is a rash brought on by the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

From Los Angeles Times