monkeypox
noun
mon·key·pox ˈməŋ-kē-ˌpäks 
: a rare virus disease especially of central and western Africa that is caused by a poxvirus (species Monkeypox virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), occurs chiefly in wild rodents and primates, and when transmitted to humans resembles smallpox but is milder
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Since May, nearly 23,000 cases of monkeypox have been diagnosed in the U.S., according to CDC data. 
Erin Prater, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2022 The first human case of monkeypox wasn't documented until 1970. Jen Christensen, CNN, 15 Sep. 2022 The Florida Department of Health confirmed the first case of monkeypox at Orange County Public Schools this week, WESH-Channel 2 reported. Amanda Rabines, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 The role of monkeypox in the patient's death was under investigation, Texas officials said at the time. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2022 There are more than 21,000 cases of monkeypox in the U.S., according to LA County officials. Melissa Gaffney, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2022 As of Tuesday afternoon, the CDC reported a total of 18,417 cases of monkeypox in the U.S. Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox was reported in Maricopa County on June 7. Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Despite its name, the source of monkeypox remains unknown, according to the CDC. Arielle Mitropoulos, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2022 See More
Erin Prater, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2022 The first human case of monkeypox wasn't documented until 1970. Jen Christensen, CNN, 15 Sep. 2022 The Florida Department of Health confirmed the first case of monkeypox at Orange County Public Schools this week, WESH-Channel 2 reported. Amanda Rabines, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 The role of monkeypox in the patient's death was under investigation, Texas officials said at the time. Dennis Romero, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2022 There are more than 21,000 cases of monkeypox in the U.S., according to LA County officials. Melissa Gaffney, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2022 As of Tuesday afternoon, the CDC reported a total of 18,417 cases of monkeypox in the U.S. Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The first probable case of monkeypox was reported in Maricopa County on June 7. Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Despite its name, the source of monkeypox remains unknown, according to the CDC. Arielle Mitropoulos, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1959, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
monkeypox
noun
mon·key·pox ˈməŋ-kē-ˌpäks
: a rare virus disease especially of rain forest areas of central and western Africa that is caused by a poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Monkeypox virus), that occurs in wild rodents and primates and in captive monkeys, and that when transmitted to humans resembles smallpox but is milder