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

Jamaica is seeing an outbreak of leptospirosis and is urging anyone who is experiencing symptoms from the infectious disease to seek immediate medical care. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

This year’s flu season is already raising alarms among public health officials and infectious disease experts. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Nearly 1 in 30 clinical trials were interrupted by funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, affecting more than 74,000 patients and research into cancer, infectious disease and more, according to a paper published Monday. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

The students were playing Operation Outbreak, a game that simulates the spread of an infectious disease. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for infectious disease

• idiosyncrasies
• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees
• artistes

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