1
: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
a viral infection
2
: quickly and widely spread or popularized especially by means of social media
a viral video
Examples of viral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kook first teamed with Calvin Klein in 2023 as a global ambassador, a debut that quickly went viral.
—
Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
That video went viral not so much for Mahomes’ interaction with Lucy, but because of how her father reacted.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
Covid-19 infections have been strongly linked with cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke, but new research shows that other viral infections such as influenza, HIV, hepatitis C and shingles can also increase the risk of heart problems and cardiovascular disease.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The two quarterbacks of Polynesian descent posed with shakas up for a viral social media moment, but the words exchanged between the two meant more than clicks.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for viral
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Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
That video went viral not so much for Mahomes’ interaction with Lucy, but because of how her father reacted.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
Covid-19 infections have been strongly linked with cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke, but new research shows that other viral infections such as influenza, HIV, hepatitis C and shingles can also increase the risk of heart problems and cardiovascular disease.
—Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The two quarterbacks of Polynesian descent posed with shakas up for a viral social media moment, but the words exchanged between the two meant more than clicks.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for viral
Cite this Entry
“Viral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viral. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
viral
adjective
vi·ral
ˈvī-rəl 
1
: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
a viral infection
2
: quickly and widely spread or popularized especially by person-to-person electronic communication
a viral video
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