chickenpox

noun

chick·​en·​pox ˈchi-kᵊn-ˌpäks 

variants or less commonly chicken pox

: an acute contagious disease especially of children marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles (see vesicle sense 1b) and caused by a herpesvirus (Varicellovirus humanalpha3) compare shingles

Examples of chickenpox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In California, the law requires all children without medical exemptions to be vaccinated for several diseases — including polio, measles, mumps, chickenpox, hepatitis B and whooping cough — before they’re admitted to school. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

However, new data suggests that a steep decline in chickenpox cases over the last three decades, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, may contribute to a decline in shingles in the coming years. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Measles protection is also part of the MMRV vaccine, which includes varicella (chickenpox). — Laura Fay, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Chickenpox reawakens as shingles The varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox has infected over 90% of the world’s population. — Andrew Bubak, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chickenpox

• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• equinox
• firebox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox
• tomahawks
• balks
• blocks

Kids Definition

chicken pox

noun

: a contagious virus disease especially of children marked by low fever and a rash or small watery blisters

Medical Definition

chickenpox

noun

chick·​en·​pox ˈchik-ən-ˌpäks 

variants also chicken pox

: an acute contagious disease especially of children that is marked by low-grade fever and formation of vesicles (see vesicle sense 2) and that is caused by a herpesvirus (Varicellovirus humanalpha3)

called also varicella

see shingles