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

The highly contagious disease has been steadily increasing since September, a typical pattern for viruses that spread most widely during colder months. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is advising hunters and others to take precautions due to possible cases of a highly contagious disease that might be impacting ducks and wild birds. —Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2025

Soon after, as Judith starts to recover, Hamnet tragically succumbs to the contagious disease. —Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on the planet. —Kathryn H. Jacobsen, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 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.