omicron variant
noun
variants
or less commonly Omicron variant
: an extremely transmissible genetic variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
Although the omicron variant has now surpassed delta in the region, hospitals like St. Luke's are likely still treating people who have been infected by the delta variant.—
Kynala Phillips
Kynala PhillipsFlorida's rocketing number of COVID-19 cases likely will peak by mid-January as the highly contagious omicron variant potentially infects most of the state's population during this wave alone, according to disease modelers with the University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute.—Daniel Chang
Daniel ChangCovid-19 infections in children have typically been mild so far in the pandemic, but the sheer magnitude of cases caused by the very contagious Omicron variant is sending children under age 18 to hospitals in record numbers, according to data from the CDC.—The East Bay Times (California)
The East Bay Times (California)called also omicron
Examples of omicron variant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Team members Nathan Chen and Madison Hubbell told CNN Sport’s Coy Wire that the pain of being denied their moment on the podium in Beijing, where there were no fans or families due to the spread of the omicron variant of Covid, has now been replaced with joy.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 7 Aug. 2024
Overall, the study found that about 5.3 percent of vaccinated people infected when the delta variant was circulating went on to get long COVID, compared with 3.5 percent of individuals infected later in the pandemic when the omicron variant was circulating.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 23 July 2024
The highly contagious omicron variant is still the dominant strain of COVID-19 circulating in the U.S, but its sub-strains continue to evolve.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2024
The original virus first detected in Wuhan, China, was replaced by the alpha variant, which was replaced by the delta variant, which was replaced by the omicron variant.
—Lisa Krieger, The Denver Post, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for omicron variant 
Matias Grez, CNN, 7 Aug. 2024
Overall, the study found that about 5.3 percent of vaccinated people infected when the delta variant was circulating went on to get long COVID, compared with 3.5 percent of individuals infected later in the pandemic when the omicron variant was circulating.
—Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 23 July 2024
The highly contagious omicron variant is still the dominant strain of COVID-19 circulating in the U.S, but its sub-strains continue to evolve.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2024
The original virus first detected in Wuhan, China, was replaced by the alpha variant, which was replaced by the delta variant, which was replaced by the omicron variant.
—Lisa Krieger, The Denver Post, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for omicron variant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'omicron variant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Omicron variant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omicron%20variant. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
omicron variant
noun
variants
also Omicron variant
: an extremely transmissible genetic variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
The push for increased testing comes amid an increase of COVID-19 cases as the omicron variant takes hold.—Congressional Quarterly Health
Congressional Quarterly HealthThe recent onset of the new Omicron variant currently is under investigation to assess its relative infectiousness, severity, and responsiveness to current vaccines and therapeutics.—Emergency Medicine Reports
Emergency Medicine Reportscalled also omicron
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