intermediate host

Definition of intermediate host

1 : a host which is normally used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and in which it may multiply asexually but not sexually — compare definitive host

2a : reservoir sense 3

Examples of intermediate host in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This study theorizes that C. auris was an environmental fungus initially found in wetlands and may have had an intermediate host like a sea bird and then been passed to humans. — Jen Christensen, CNN, "Climate crisis might be behind the rise of mysterious superbug C. auris, study suggests," 23 July 2019 The hosting rat eventually poops out the young parasites, which then get gobbled up by feces-feasting snails and slugs (intermediate hosts). — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Hawaii warns tourists of parasitic worm that can burrow into human brains," 30 May 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near intermediate host

intermediate frequency

intermediate girl scout

intermediate goods

intermediate host

intermediate school

intermediate stock

intermediate tissue

Statistics for intermediate host

Cite this Entry

“Intermediate host.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermediate%20host. Accessed 7 December 2019.

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