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Definition of mpox

mpox

/ˈɛm.pɑːks/
m · pox
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mpox Lexical Profile

mpox Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinct rash that forms blisters and crusts over.

Example

"Public health officials rapidly deployed vaccines to contain the spread of mpox within the affected communities."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mpox

Word Nuance & Usage

The term 'mpox' was officially adopted by the World Health Organization in 2022 to replace 'monkeypox' in order to minimize racist and stigmatizing language associated with the original name.

• Nearby Words

mozambique
mozambique spitting cobra
mozzarella
mpox
msunduzi
muck
mucuna

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined by the World Health Organization in 2022 as a preferred synonym for monkeypox. The 'm' represents the original name, combined with 'pox' (an alteration of 'pocks', plural of 'pock'), denoting an eruptive disease.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mpox. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mpox
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