AIDS

noun

ˈādz

: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (such as Kaposi's sarcoma) that become life-threatening and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (such as semen) during sexual intercourse

Examples of AIDS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Seven people were arrested after occupying the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Capitol Hill and demanding that Congress reauthorize the PEPFAR global initiative to fight HIV and AIDS. —

Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 In this context, Black women are often overlooked, which exacerbates the disproportionately high rates of HIV and AIDS cases among both cisgender and transgender Black women within this community. —

Shelby Stewart, Essence, 11 Sep. 2023 Murphy had been close to the Rev. Mychal Judge, a chaplain in the New York Fire Department and a priest known for his work with AIDS patients. —

Claire Fahy, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023 For select populations—homeless AIDS patients and homeless veterans—this has already to some extent been done. —

Jennifer Egan, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 In response to the AIDS epidemic, members were forbidden to even eat in restaurants. —

Hannah E. Meyers, National Review, 10 Sep. 2023 Preventing initial infection with HIV or suppressing the effects of the virus once infected will reduce the anemia burden related to HIV/AIDS. —

Nicholas Kassebaum, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2023 More than 32 years after the singer’s death, Austin has started to sell them off with a portion of the proceeds set to be divided between the Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. —

Clare Fisher, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023 One episode hopscotches between the 1968 New York City garbage strike, a shadow play of the Ugandan genocide, and a mournful fantasy about the early AIDS crisis—all as background for the story of one marriage’s dissolution. —

Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'AIDS.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of AIDS was in 1982

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“AIDS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AIDS. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

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Kids Definition

AIDS

noun

ˈādz

: a serious disease of the human immune system marked by destruction of a large proportion of the helper T cells in the body due to infection by the HIV virus commonly transmitted especially in blood and semen

Medical Definition

AIDS

noun

ˈādz

: a disease of the human immune system that is characterized cytologically especially by a reduction in the numbers of CD4-bearing helper T cells to 20 percent or less of normal thereby rendering the subject highly vulnerable to life-threatening conditions (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some that become life threatening (as Kaposi's sarcoma) and that is caused by infection with HIV commonly transmitted in infected blood especially during illicit intravenous drug use and in bodily secretions (as semen) during sexual intercourse

called also acquired immune deficiency syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome