infectious disease

noun

: a disease (such as influenza, malaria, meningitis, rabies, or tetanus) caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) which grow and multiply there compare communicable disease, contagious disease

Examples of infectious disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ensuing court battle and decision from the California Supreme Court would forever change the nature of doctor-patient confidentiality in psychiatry, infectious disease, and even genomics. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 June 2026

An infectious disease fellow in Queens can encounter a farmer with tularemia. — Spencer Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

The World Health Organization identifies cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma and mental health conditions as particularly vulnerable to heat, along with a higher risk of accidents and some infectious disease transmission. — Allison Palmer updated June 25, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

For most of American history, military commanders took for granted that infectious disease could cost them a war, which is why vaccination was considered a matter of military readiness rather than personal choice. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for infectious disease

• idiosyncrasies
• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees
• artistes

Kids Definition

infectious disease

noun

: a disease caused by the presence, growth, and increase in numbers of germs in the body

Medical Definition

infectious disease

noun

: a disease (as influenza, malaria, meningitis, rabies, or tetanus) caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) which grow and multiply there compare communicable disease, contagious disease