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

Vaccinations are available for several highly contagious diseases that can spread rapidly from classroom to couch. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026

The Centers or Disease Control and Prevention says measles is a highly contagious disease best prevented by two does of the vaccine. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

For the most contagious diseases, even a small dip in vaccination can trigger population-wide problems. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026

The Allegheny County Health Department says measles is a highly contagious disease — up to 90% of people exposed to measles who are not immune will become infected. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

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.