pox

1 of 2

noun

ˈpäks 

plural pox or poxes

1

a

: a virus disease (such as chickenpox) characterized by pustules or eruptions

b

archaic : smallpox

c

: syphilis

2

: a disastrous evil : plague, curse

a pox on him

poxy

ˈpäk-sē 

adjective

pox

2 of 2

verb

poxed; poxing; poxes

transitive verb

archaic

: to infect with a pox and especially with syphilis

Examples of pox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Since then, the Department of Health has started the rulemaking process of repealing requirements for Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that causes chicken pox. —Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026

The Department of Health has started the rulemaking process of repealing requirements for Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance. —Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026

Other vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough and chicken pox will also surge. —Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

alteration of pocks, plural of pock

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pox

• chicken pox

Rhymes for pox

• balks
• blocks
• blocs
• box
• chalks
• chocks
• clocks
• cocks
• cox
• crocks
• docks
• docs

Kids Definition

pox

noun

ˈpäks

: a disease (as chicken pox) that is caused by a virus and produces a rash on the skin

Medical Definition

pox

noun

ˈpäks 

plural pox or poxes

1

: a viral disease (such as chickenpox) characterized by pustules or eruptions

2

archaic : smallpox

3

: syphilis