communicable disease

noun

plural communicable diseases

: an infectious disease (such as cholera, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmissible by contact with infected individuals or their bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets, blood, or semen), by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, by ingestion of contaminated food or water, or by direct or indirect contact with disease vectors (such as mosquitoes, fleas, or mice)

Note: The terms communicable disease and contagious disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis that are spread by contact with disease vectors are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The public health agency’s 5,000 employees and contractors work on the front lines of everything from communicable diseases to gun violence, and under a political appointee selected by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who has been working to find a candidate who shares his views. —Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2023

In 2020, citing public health concerns during the pandemic, the Trump administration reinstated a 1944 law governing communicable diseases called Title 42. —Palabra, al, 15 Mar. 2023

The health systems in Kenya and much of sub-Saharan Africa — and the international donations that support them — are heavily weighted to the treatment of communicable diseases such as H.I.V. and malaria. —Stephanie Nolen, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2023

So, this gene editing process not only makes the organs more compatible but may help with some of the other concerns around communicable diseases. —Deeptee Jain, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023

There will likely be an uptick of vaccine-preventable diseases as well as non-communicable diseases that turn into acute problems. —Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

communicable disease

noun

: an infectious disease (as cholera, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmissible by contact with infected individuals or their bodily discharges or fluids (as respiratory droplets, blood, or semen), by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, by ingestion of contaminated food or water, or by direct or indirect contact with disease vectors (as mosquitoes, fleas, or mice)

Note: The terms communicable disease and contagious disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases (as malaria or schistosomiasis) that are spread by contact with disease vectors are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.