infectious disease

noun

: a disease (such as influenza, malaria, meningitis, rabies, or tetanus) caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) which grow and multiply there compare communicable disease, contagious disease

Examples of infectious disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Medical records reportedly indicate that an infectious disease consulting physician recommended that the patient stop taking Plaquenil. Scott Schwebke, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024 Others are clearly sick, with dirty eyes and behinds – telltale signs of chlamydia, an infectious disease that spreads quickly in stressed populations. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024 Prior Omicron infections and getting vaccinated may keep people from having a severe case of COVID, said Harish Moorjani, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Phelps Hospital in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2024 One possible explanation for the surge in whooping cough cases is the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Thomas Russo, MD, a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infectious disease 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infectious disease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infectious disease was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near infectious disease

Cite this Entry

“Infectious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infectious%20disease. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

infectious disease

noun
: a disease caused by the presence, growth, and increase in numbers of germs in the body

Medical Definition

infectious disease

noun
: a disease (as influenza, malaria, meningitis, rabies, or tetanus) caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) which grow and multiply there compare communicable disease, contagious disease
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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