What does virion mean?
A virion is the complete, infectious form of a virus particle. In virology and molecular biology, the term distinguishes an assembled viral particle from the individual genetic, protein, or lipid components that make it up. Virions can be released from infected cells, circulate through an organism, and enter new host cells, where they may begin another cycle of replication. The word is useful because virus is sometimes used broadly for the infectious agent, while virion gives a more precise name for the physical particle itself. It is also appropriate in discussions of viral structure, assembly, transmission, and laboratory research. Although the term is principally scientific, it may appear in general-interest science writing when the distinction between a complete virus particle and its individual components is important.
nounA virion is a complete virus particle in its infectious form, capable of entering a host cell and initiating infection. The term is used primarily in virology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
- A complete, infectious virus particle capable of entering a host cell and initiating infection.
"The newly assembled virions were released from the infected cells."
"Researchers used electron microscopy to examine the structure of the virion."
"Each infected cell released thousands of virions into the surrounding fluid."
The standard plural adds -s.
"The researchers detected virions in the sample using an electron microscope."
A virion is a virus's complete, infectious form—not merely a loose fragment of genetic material.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does virion come from?
Virion belongs to the scientific vocabulary developed from Latin virus, meaning poison or poisonous material. It was coined as a specialized biological term in the early twentieth century as researchers needed a precise name for the complete infectious form of a virus. Related English words such as viral, virulent, virology, and viricide belong to the same Latin-derived root. The suffix gives the term its character as a scientific noun denoting a particular kind of particle or entity.
Related word forms
How virion is actually used
Virion is chiefly technical vocabulary in virology and molecular biology. Although virus and virion are sometimes used interchangeably, virion more precisely identifies the complete extracellular particle that can initiate infection.
Easily confused with virion
A virion is a noun naming the physical, infectious particle of a virus, whereas viral is an adjective meaning relating to or caused by a virus.