contagious disease

noun

plural contagious diseases

: an infectious disease (such as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water

Note: The terms contagious disease and communicable disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis that are spread by contact with disease vectors (such as mosquitoes or ticks) are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.

Examples of contagious disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vitamin A toxicity reports come amid a series of nationwide measles outbreaks, the largest of which is centered in West Texas's Gaines County, and claims by a top health official that vitamin A can be used to treat or prevent the highly contagious disease. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

The highly contagious disease produces a rash over the skin and flu-like symptoms. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, yet the rate of protective vaccinations has declined as misinformation about them circulates online. —Amy Feldman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. —Chad Kirchner, Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contagious disease

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

Medical Definition

contagious disease

noun

: an infectious disease (as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water

Note: The terms contagious disease and communicable disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases (as malaria or schistosomiasis) that are spread by contact with disease vectors (as mosquitoes or ticks) are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.