1. the integrated form of a virus that has been incorporated into the host cell’s DNA and can remain dormant or be activated to produce new viral particles
Usage: biology; virology

Examples

• The HIV provirus can remain dormant in infected cells for years.
• Scientists studied how the provirus integrates into the host genome.
• Activation of the provirus leads to production of new viral particles.
• The provirus serves as a template for viral replication.
• Researchers are investigating ways to eliminate provirus from infected cells.
• The provirus can be passed to daughter cells during cell division.