contagious disease

noun

plural contagious diseases

: an infectious disease (such as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water

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

Examples of contagious disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After Monarez's termination, resignation letters followed from CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry and top officials for immunization and contagious diseases. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

The state’s health department is also allowed under Florida law to require vaccination for other contagious diseases. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

Nine more measles cases have been reported in Oconto County, state health department data show, as the highly contagious disease continues its spread in Wisconsin, bringing the total in the county, and statewide, to 23. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Good hand hygiene can lower the risk of spreading contagious diseases, as can taking precautions like masking in indoor crowded settings. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contagious disease

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

Medical Definition

contagious disease

noun

: an infectious disease (as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water

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