paramyxovirus

American

[par-uh-mik-suh-vahy-ruhs, -mik-suh-vahy-] / ˌpær əˈmɪk səˌvaɪ rəs, -ˌmɪk səˈvaɪ- /

noun

plural

paramyxoviruses

any of various RNA-containing viruses that are similar to but larger than the myxoviruses, including the viruses that cause mumps, measles, parainfluenza, and Newcastle disease.

Etymology

Origin of paramyxovirus

First recorded in 1960–65; para- ¹ + myxovirus

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The electron microscope revealed a ringlike shape characteristic of a paramyxovirus — a family that includes measles, mumps and respiratory illnesses, but not Japanese encephalitis.

From Washington Post • Oct. 14, 2021

Yet the pandemic virus is identified as a paramyxovirus, agents that typically have longish incubation periods; e.g.,

From Slate • Sep. 8, 2011

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023