virion
noun
vi·ri·on
ˈvī-rē-ˌän 
ˈvir-ē-
ˈvir-ē-
: a complete virus particle that consists of an RNA or DNA core with a protein coat sometimes with external envelopes and that is the extracellular infectious form of a virus
Examples of virion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In cells infected with influenza A, FOOD and F-ApoEVs contained viral proteins and even whole virions, which are the complete, infectious viral particles that exist outside a host cell.
—
New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
These ventilation systems function like high-volume air samplers, creating negative pressure inside poultry houses that draws in huge quantities of ambient air effectively concentrating whatever particulates may be in that air, in this case infectious virions of H5N1.
—John Drake, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
This electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a cluster of norovirus virions.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 2024
This 1980 transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology exhibited by three poxvirus, molluscum contagiosum virions.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Aug. 2023
This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a monkeypox virion, obtained from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak.
—Maria Cheng, BostonGlobe.com, 23 May 2022
The virus is not the virion.
—The Economist, 20 Aug. 2020
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.
New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
These ventilation systems function like high-volume air samplers, creating negative pressure inside poultry houses that draws in huge quantities of ambient air effectively concentrating whatever particulates may be in that air, in this case infectious virions of H5N1.
—John Drake, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
This electron microscope image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a cluster of norovirus virions.
—CBS News, 29 Dec. 2024
This 1980 transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology exhibited by three poxvirus, molluscum contagiosum virions.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Aug. 2023
This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a monkeypox virion, obtained from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak.
—Maria Cheng, BostonGlobe.com, 23 May 2022
The virus is not the virion.
—The Economist, 20 Aug. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Virion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virion. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
virion
noun
vi·ri·on
ˈvī-rē-ˌän
ˈvir-ē-
ˈvir-ē-
: a complete virus particle that consists of an RNA or DNA core with a protein coat sometimes with external envelopes and that is the extracellular infectious form of a virus
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share