reinfection

noun

re·​in·​fec·​tion ˌrē-in-ˈfek-shən 

: infection following recovery from or superimposed on infection of the same type

reinfect

ˌrē-in-ˈfekt 

transitive verb

Examples of reinfection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And the researchers have now confirmed that reinfection from partners is causing a lot of the recurrence that women experience. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Installing backups without a thorough check could potentially lead to a reinfection or open the door to further breaches in the future. —Michelle Drolet, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

With the rise of omicron came the fall of long-lasting protection from reinfection with the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, according to a study published in Nature. —Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2025

The study found that treating both men and women in a couple for the condition led to far fewer reinfections than just treating the woman—which is the current practice. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reinfection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• disinfection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• intersection
• introjection

Kids Definition

reinfection

noun

re·​in·​fec·​tion ˌrē-ən-ˈfek-shən 

: infection following recovery from another infection of the same kind

reinfect

ˌre-ən-ˈfekt

verb

Medical Definition

reinfection

noun

re·​in·​fec·​tion ˌrē-in-ˈfek-shən 

: infection following recovery from or superimposed on a previous infection of the same type

rescreening aimed at detecting reinfection following treatment

—Diana Mahoney

reinfect

-ˈfekt 

transitive verb