Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Computing) A malicious software program: A piece of code designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another, often causing damage to data, software, or system operations.
   • (Biology) An ultramicroscopic infectious agent: A microscopic particle that can only replicate inside the living cells of a host organism, often causing disease. It typically consists of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat.
   • (Figurative) A harmful or corrupting influence: An idea, feeling, or influence that spreads quickly and has a damaging effect on people, society, or a situation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Computing):
  • My computer crashed because it was infected by a virus.
  • You should install antivirus software to protect your files from a virus.
• Noun (Biology):
  • The influenza virus spreads easily during the winter months.
  • Scientists are studying the structure of the virus.
• Noun (Figurative):
  • Racism is a social virus that must be eradicated.
  • The virus of fear spread through the community after the news report.

Advanced Usage

• "To go viral": (idiomatic, from the computing sense) To spread rapidly and widely on the internet or through social media.
  • The funny cat video went viral overnight.
• "Viral load": (medical term) The amount of a virus present in a person's blood.
  • The treatment aims to reduce the patient's viral load.

Variants and Related Words

• Viral (adjective): Relating to or caused by a virus.
  • He has a viral infection. (biological)
  • The campaign achieved viral success. (computing/figurative, meaning it spread rapidly online)
• Antivirus (adjective/noun): (Software) designed to detect and destroy computer viruses.
  • Keep your antivirus program updated.

Synonyms

• Malware (for computing sense): Malicious software, a broader category that includes viruses.
• Pathogen (for biological sense): A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
• Contagion (for figurative sense): The communication of disease or, metaphorically, a harmful influence or idea.

Related Phrases

• Virus scanner: A program that checks files for known viruses.
  • Run a virus scanner on any email attachment you open.
• Host cell (biological): A living cell in which a virus replicates.
  • The virus enters a host cell to reproduce.

Related Idioms

• Catch a virus: To become infected with a biological or computer virus.
  • I must have caught a virus from my coworker. (biological)
  • Don't click that link or you might catch a virus. (computing)

Noun

1. a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer
   • a true virus cannot spread to another computer without human assistance
2. a harmful or corrupting agency
   • bigotry is a virus that must not be allowed to spread
   • the virus of jealousy is latent in everyone
3. (virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein