virion

[ vahy-ree-on, vir-ee- ]

noun

1. the infectious form of a virus as it exists outside the host cell, consisting of a nucleic acid core, a protein coat, and, in some species, an external envelope.

virion

/ ˈvaɪrɪən /

noun

1. a virus in infective form, consisting of an RNA particle within a protein covering

virion

/ vī′rē-ŏn′,vîr′ē- /

1. A complete viral particle, consisting of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein shell and constituting the infective form of a virus. The shell, called a capsid , protects the interior core that includes the genome and other proteins. After the virion binds to the surface of a specific host cell, its DNA or RNA is injected into the host cell and viral replication occurs with eventual spread of the infection to other host cells.

Word History and Origins

Origin of virion¹

< French virion (1959), equivalent to viri ( en ) viral ( virus, -ian ) + -on -on ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of virion¹

C20: from vir ( us ) + ion

Example Sentences

The virion is just the dispersal mechanism, he argued.

From National Geographic

Oh wait — I forgot that we’ve managed to politicize even that tiny virion with glycoprotein spikes.

From Washington Post

Fitting 300 nm RNA into the virion was a breeze!

From Scientific American

Such studies might identify relationships between antibody binding sites on the virion and antibody function.

From Nature

Loss of the precursor fragment of prM lets the E protein fluctuate from its tight packing at the surface of the virion, transiently exposing otherwise buried surfaces.

From Nature