disease

noun

dis·​ease di-ˈzēz How to pronounce disease (audio)
1
: a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms : sickness, malady
infectious diseases
a rare genetic disease
heart disease
2
: a harmful development (as in a social institution)
sees the city's crime as a disease
3
obsolete : trouble

Examples of disease in a Sentence

He suffers from a rare genetic disease. a disease of the mind Thousands die of heart disease each year. They are working to stop the spread of disease in rural areas. The article cites intolerance as one of the most dangerous of society's diseases. He sees crime as a disease that too often plagues the poor and disadvantaged.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The diet has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and related conditions like obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension. Randi Richardson, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 Robert’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease leads to an exploration of art, activism, grief and fatherhood. Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 His disease was discovered after visiting an orthopedic surgeon for a recurring shoulder injury. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 Read more Dengue Party Tray Recall Sparks Warning in 7 States This year's crisis is compounded by the resurgence of dengue serotype 3 in parts of Central America and the Caribbean, a strain not widely seen in over a decade, according to Thais dos Santos, PAHO's adviser on arboviral diseases. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disease 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disese, from Anglo-French desease, desaise, from des- dis- + eise ease

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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

Dictionary Entries Near disease

Cite this Entry

“Disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disease. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

disease

noun
dis·​ease diz-ˈēz How to pronounce disease (audio)
: an abnormal bodily condition of a living plant or animal that interferes with functioning and can usually be recognized by signs and symptoms : illness
diseased adjective

Medical Definition

disease

noun
dis·​ease diz-ˈēz How to pronounce disease (audio)
: an impairment of the normal state of the living animal or plant body or one of its parts that interrupts or modifies the performance of the vital functions, is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms, and is a response to environmental factors (as malnutrition, industrial hazards, or climate), to specific infective agents (as worms, bacteria, or viruses), to inherent defects of the organism (as genetic anomalies), or to combinations of these factors : sickness, illness

called also morbus

compare health sense 1
diseased adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on disease

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