SARS

noun

ˈsärz 

: a severe respiratory illness that is caused by the SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus, is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets or body fluids), and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, hypoxia, and usually pneumonia

called also severe acute respiratory syndrome

Examples of SARS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, the channel has always proven to be resilient — a veritable phoenix that keeps rising stronger and ever more creative after world-shattering events such as 9/11, the SARS outbreak and the 2008 world financial crisis. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

The epidemiology of plague also differs substantially from that of SARS-CoV-2. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

The shipping magnate led Hong Kong from 1997 to 2005, steering it through the Asian financial crisis, deadly SARS outbreak and massive protests over a controversial anti-treason law. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

The leading hypothesis centers on the idea that SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus, originated in animals then emerged humans following an event related to zoonotic spillover. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

severe acute respiratory syndrome

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing SARS

• SARS-CoV

Rhymes for SARS

• ares
• bars
• cars
• chars
• czars
• gars
• jars
• lars
• mars
• pars
• scars
• spars

Kids Definition

SARS

noun

ˈsärz 

: a severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus, is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (as respiratory droplets or body fluids), and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, shortness of breath, and usually pneumonia

Etymology

severe acute respiratory syndrome

Medical Definition

SARS

noun

ˈsärz 

: a severe respiratory illness that is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (such as respiratory droplets or body fluids), is caused by the SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus, and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, hypoxia, and usually pneumonia

called also severe acute respiratory syndrome