infection

noun

in·​fec·​tion in-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce infection (audio)
1
a
: the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents (such as a bacteria, protozoans, or viruses) in or on the body of a suitable host
an infection in his foot
b
: a disease resulting from infection
contagious infections
infections of childhood
2
: an act or process of infecting something or someone
also : the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3
: an infectious agent or material contaminated with an infectious agent
… that notion that the infection was all in the air, that there was no such thing as contagion from the sick people to the sound …Daniel Defoe
It may not be uninteresting to add, that this case I vaccinated with infection taken from a secondary pock on the arm of her sister …John Redman Coxe
4
: the communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact
But immediately she resisted this intolerable fear as an infection from her husband's way of thinking.George Eliot
also : the emotion or quality that is communicated
… as the evening wore on, she caught the infection of their excitement … Thomas Hardy
Besides, I know what sort of a mind I have placed in communication with my own: I know it is one not liable to take infectionCharlotte Brontë
5
: the act or result of corrupting someone's morals, character, etc.
… it is at least as difficult to stay a moral infection as a physical one …Charles Dickens
… they could not know the origin—or the depth—of his susceptibility to the infection of power.Robert A. Caro

Examples of infection in a Sentence

Poor hygiene can increase the danger of infection. The wound has so far remained free of infection. steps you can take to decrease your computer's risk of infection
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chicken is a major source of salmonella infection, and one in every 25 packages of chicken at the grocery store is expected to be contaminated. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 People at higher risk of infection who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024 While most human infections of bird flu continue to be in farm workers exposed to infected animals, health officials are on the watch for any indications of spread among humans. Matthew Brockett, Fortune Asia, 2 Dec. 2024 Each of these infections, however, has the potential to become severe. Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infection 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English infeccioun "morbid condition of a body part, disease, contamination," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French infeccioun, enfection, borrowed from Late Latin infectiōn-, infectiō "influence, process of dyeing, communication of disease, contamination," from Latin infec-, variant stem of inficere "to dye, discolor, taint, contaminate with disease" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at infect

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of infection was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near infection

Cite this Entry

“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infection. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

infection

noun
in·​fec·​tion in-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce infection (audio)
1
: an act or process of infecting
2
a
: the state produced by something infectious (as a germ or parasite) living in or on a suitable host
b
: a disease resulting from infection : infectious disease
3
a
: something (as a bacterium or virus) infectious
b
: material contaminated with something infectious

Medical Definition

infection

noun
in·​fec·​tion in-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce infection (audio)
1
a
: the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents or microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) in or on the body of a suitable host
treated a bacterial infection of the eye
b
: a disease resulting from infection : infectious disease
common infections of childhood
contagious infections
2
: an act or process of infecting something or someone
syphilis infection is chiefly venereal
also : the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3
: an infectious agent or material contaminated with an infectious agent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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