disease

dis·ease | \ di-ˈzēz

Definition of disease

1 : a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms : sickness, malady infectious diseases a rare genetic disease heart disease

2 : a harmful development (as in a social institution) sees the city's crime as a disease

3 obsolete : trouble

Other Words from disease Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about disease

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Examples of disease in a Sentence

He suffers from a rare genetic disease. a disease of the mind Thousands die of heart disease each year. They are working to stop the spread of disease in rural areas. The article cites intolerance as one of the most dangerous of society's diseases. He sees crime as a disease that too often plagues the poor and disadvantaged.

Recent Examples on the Web The drug candidate, known as pegcetacoplan, takes aim at a genetic disease known as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH. — Kate Sheridan, STAT, "Apellis Pharmaceuticals’ drug candidate outperforms Alexion’s Soliris in a clinical trial comparing the two," 7 Jan. 2020 Their unique shape helps remove disease-causing plaque and tartar, while also refreshing that horrible dog breath (no offense, pups). — Courtney Campbell, USA TODAY, "The 5 best Amazon new year deals you can get right now," 3 Jan. 2020 Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic made headlines in December for a pregame moment with a 22-month-old Slovenian boy with a rare genetic disease. — Dallas News, "Mavs superstar Luka Doncic has duo of heartwarming moments with young fan," 3 Jan. 2020 There is also a disease called coffee rust, spread by spores on the wind. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Clustering pattern of Azteca ant colonies may be due to a Turing mechanism," 2 Jan. 2020 Believers maintain that crystals act as conduits that allow positive energy to flow into the body as negative, disease-causing energy flows out. — Cathy Alter, Washington Post, "Calming nerves and blocking bullies: Behold the healing power of crystals and gems," 2 Jan. 2020 Took her own life after living with pain from a degenerative spinal disease. — Bernard Mcghee, Twin Cities, "Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2019," 29 Dec. 2019 Rabies is a fatal disease with a small window of time for treatment immediately following infection. — Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, "Utqiagvik is under a citywide rabies quarantine," 24 Dec. 2019 The teen, who suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, a rare disease that causes his skin to blister incredibly easily, is near-constantly wrapped in bandages to protect his fragile skin. — Fox News, "Wisconsin teen diagnosed with cancer while battling rare 'butterfly skin' disease: 'He is resilient'," 21 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disease.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Disease.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diseased. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for disease

disease

noun

English Language Learners Definition of disease

: an illness that affects a person, animal, or plant : a condition that prevents the body or mind from working normally

: a problem that a person, group, organization, or society has and cannot stop

See the full definition for disease in the English Language Learners Dictionary

disease

noun

dis·ease | \ di-ˈzēz

Kids Definition of disease

: a change in a living body (as of a person or plant) that prevents it from functioning normally : sickness

disease

noun

dis·ease | \ diz-ˈēz

Medical Definition of disease

: an impairment of the normal state of the living animal or plant body or one of its parts that interrupts or modifies the performance of the vital functions, is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms, and is a response to environmental factors (as malnutrition, industrial hazards, or climate), to specific infective agents (as worms, bacteria, or viruses), to inherent defects of the organism (as genetic anomalies), or to combinations of these factors : sickness, illness

— called also morbus

— compare health sense 1

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