First Known Use: 1982
Dictionary
AIDS
noun \ˈādz\
: a serious disease of the immune system that is caused by infection with a virus
Full Definition of AIDS
: 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 (as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) and to some (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 (as semen) during sexual intercourse
See AIDS defined for English-language learners
See AIDS defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of AIDS
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Other Medicine Terms
Rhymes with AIDS
AIDS Defined for Kids
AIDS
noun \ˈādz\
Definition of AIDS for Kids
: a serious disease of the human immune system in which large numbers of the cells that help the body fight infection are destroyed by the HIV virus carried in the blood and other fluids of the body
Medical Dictionary
AIDS
noun \ˈādz\
Medical Definition of AIDS
: 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
Learn More About AIDS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: AIDS–related complexPrevious Word in the Dictionary: aid prayerAll Words Near: AIDS
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up AIDS? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).