mumps /mʌmps/ noun[plural only]2 •A contagious disease caused by the Mumps virus of the genus Rubulavirus, mostly occurring in childhood, which causes swelling of glands in the face and neck.At issue is the so-called MMR vaccine, which immunizes children against measles, mumps and rubella, three potentially deadly diseases that were once common and have been mostly wiped out. — 2002 •(old-fashioned) A gloomy or sullen silence.
