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Definition of metapneumovirus
metapneumovirus
/ˌmɛtəˌnuːmoʊˈvaɪrəs/
met · a · pneu · mo · vi · rus
Plural:metapneumoviruses
metapneumovirus Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
metapneumovirus Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
An RNA virus belonging to the family Pneumoviridae that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections, primarily affecting young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Example
"The pediatrician ordered a respiratory panel to determine whether the child's severe cough was caused by RSV, influenza, or human metapneumovirus."
Word Nuance & Usage
In clinical contexts, it is almost always specified as human metapneumovirus (hMPV) to differentiate it from avian strains.
• Rhymes for metapneumovirus
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined following its discovery in 2001, from the Greek prefix 'meta-' (after, beyond), 'pneumo-' (lung), and the Latin 'virus' (poison), reflecting its relation to other respiratory viruses.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Metapneumovirus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/metapneumovirus