infection

noun

in·​fec·​tion in-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce infection (audio)
1
a
: the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents (such as a bacteria, protozoans, or viruses) in or on the body of a suitable host
an infection in his foot
b
: a disease resulting from infection
contagious infections
infections of childhood
2
: an act or process of infecting something or someone
also : the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3
: an infectious agent or material contaminated with an infectious agent
… that notion that the infection was all in the air, that there was no such thing as contagion from the sick people to the sound …Daniel Defoe
It may not be uninteresting to add, that this case I vaccinated with infection taken from a secondary pock on the arm of her sister …John Redman Coxe
4
: the communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact
But immediately she resisted this intolerable fear as an infection from her husband's way of thinking.George Eliot
also : the emotion or quality that is communicated
… as the evening wore on, she caught the infection of their excitement … Thomas Hardy
Besides, I know what sort of a mind I have placed in communication with my own: I know it is one not liable to take infectionCharlotte Brontë
5
: the act or result of corrupting someone's morals, character, etc.
… it is at least as difficult to stay a moral infection as a physical one …Charles Dickens
… they could not know the origin—or the depth—of his susceptibility to the infection of power.Robert A. Caro

Examples of infection in a Sentence

Poor hygiene can increase the danger of infection. The wound has so far remained free of infection. steps you can take to decrease your computer's risk of infection
Recent Examples on the Web In such cases, the bite may cause minimal symptoms and may not require medical treatment beyond wound care and monitoring for signs of infection. The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024 Over time, this led to inflammation and the risk of infection. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 Vaccination rates in the U.S. will likely be enough to prevent a repeat of the deadly waves of infections that claimed hundreds of lives and hospitalized thousands of children every year before the vaccine. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024 Over time this led to inflammation and the risk of infection. USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 There are no prior reports of natural HPAI infection in goats. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2024 In 2021, for example, Black and Latino populations represented 30 percent of the U.S. population but were 67 percent of new HIV infections nationwide. Alphonso David and Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 Within a few years, the number of new HIV infections plummeted by 96% and new cases of hepatitis C fell by 76%. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Respiratory Tract Infection Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of colds, flu, and other respiratory tract infections. Claire Gillespie, Health, 17 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English infeccioun "morbid condition of a body part, disease, contamination," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French infeccioun, enfection, borrowed from Late Latin infectiōn-, infectiō "influence, process of dyeing, communication of disease, contamination," from Latin infec-, variant stem of inficere "to dye, discolor, taint, contaminate with disease" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at infect

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of infection was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near infection

Cite this Entry

“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infection. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

infection

noun
in·​fec·​tion in-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce infection (audio)
1
: an act or process of infecting
2
a
: the state produced by something infectious (as a germ or parasite) living in or on a suitable host
b
: a disease resulting from infection : infectious disease
3
a
: something (as a bacterium or virus) infectious
b
: material contaminated with something infectious

Medical Definition

infection

noun
in·​fec·​tion in-ˈfek-shən How to pronounce infection (audio)
1
a
: the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents or microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) in or on the body of a suitable host
treated a bacterial infection of the eye
b
: a disease resulting from infection : infectious disease
common infections of childhood
contagious infections
2
: an act or process of infecting something or someone
syphilis infection is chiefly venereal
also : the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3
: an infectious agent or material contaminated with an infectious agent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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