: a severe respiratory illness that is caused by a coronavirus (species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related virus of the genus Betacoronavirus), 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

see sars-cov

Examples of SARS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Do mRNA vaccines make the SARS-CoV-2 virus resistant? Deborah Fuller, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Do mRNA vaccines make the SARS-CoV-2 virus resistant? Deborah Fuller, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025 This formulation blocked the replication of both influenza and SARS-CoV-2, while significantly reducing disease severity. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025 Wastewater surveillance showed moderate, high and very high levels of SARS-CoV-2 in much of the nation, as of the week ending on August 9. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for SARS

Word History

Etymology

severe acute respiratory syndrome

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of SARS was in 2003

Cite this Entry

“SARS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SARS. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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
: a severe respiratory illness that is transmitted especially by contact with infectious material (as respiratory droplets or body fluids), is caused by a coronavirus (species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus of the genus Betacoronavirus), and is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, a dry cough, hypoxia, and usually pneumonia

called also severe acute respiratory syndrome

see sars-cov

More from Merriam-Webster on SARS

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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