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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
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