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

The University of Florida muzzled infectious disease experts, said emeritus professor Doug Barrett, formerly the university's chief of pediatrics and senior vice president for health affairs. —Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025

The key questions posed in any zombie narrative – how did this start, how many are infected, how to contain it – are the identical questions that epidemiologists ask during a real infectious disease outbreak or pandemic. —Tom Duszynski, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025

Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics—all used to prevent and treat infectious disease. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles, which is the most infectious disease known to humans. —Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Oct. 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