fomite

noun

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fo·mite | \ ˈfō-ˌmīt

plural fomites\ ˈfō-ˌmīts

; ˈfä-mə-ˌtēz

, ˈfō-

Definition of fomite

: an object (such as a dish, doorknob, or article of clothing) that may be contaminated with infectious agents (such as bacteria or viruses) and serve in their transmission

Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About fomite

Did you know?

"Disinfectant on your hands keeps us healthier and fomites no longer foment as much disease." Australian newspaper contributor Peter Goers was likely going for alliteration when he paired up fomite and foment, a verb meaning "to promote the growth or development of"—but, whether he realized it or not, the words fomite and foment are related. Fomite is a back-formation of fomites, the Latin plural of fomes, itself a word for "tinder." (Much like tinder is a catalyst of fire, a fomite can kindle disease.) Fomes is related to the Latin verb fovēre ("to heat"), an ancestor of foment.

Examples of fomite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While wearing your mask, the front of it especially should be treated as a potential fomite (source of transmission), so ensure proper fit when putting it on initially to avoid having to touch it while wearing. — Corey Gaskin, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2021 It is spread primarily from symptomatic people to others who are in close contact through respiratory droplets, by direct contact with infected persons, or by contact with contaminated objects and surfaces (fomites). — Dr. Tom Frieden And Dr. Cyrus Shahpar, CNN, 9 Apr. 2020 But while fomites are known to be the culprits in many outbreaks, an individual’s risk depends on a lot of factors. — Joseph Eisenberg, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2020 Once human carriers contaminate objects—known to medical professionals as fomites—there’s a new challenge of cleaning surfaces and washing hands to stymie the spread of the coronavirus. — National Geographic, 13 Mar. 2020 Possible culprits for that kind of transmission include fomites, the objects and surfaces on which germs can land and hang out for up to a few hours, ready to be picked up. — Aarian Marshall, Wired, 6 Mar. 2020

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

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Fomes

fomite

FOMO

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“Fomite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fomite. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for fomite

fomite

noun

fo·mite | \ ˈfō-ˌmīt

plural fomites\ -ˌmīts; ˈfäm-ə-ˌtēz

, ˈfōm-

Medical Definition of fomite

: an object (as a dish, toy, book, doorknob, or article of clothing) that may be contaminated with infectious agents (as bacteria or viruses) and serve in their transmission the much maligned toilet seat is a remarkably ineffective fomite— M. F. Rein what are the most common fomites for rotavirus in day-care settings — Pediatric Report's Child Health Newsletter