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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
Meanwhile, infectious disease threats are on the rise or on the horizon.
—Kff Health News, Twin Cities, 9 Dec. 2024
Another concern is that the nominees, if confirmed, will deemphasize and reduce funding for infectious disease, as well as testing and therapeutics.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024
But amid growing fears of a deadly bird flu pandemic, perhaps no one was more rattled than experts in infectious disease.
—Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2024
The risk to the general public from H5N1 remains low, according to state health officials, though some infectious disease experts have raised alarm bells about bird flu and its potential for an outbreak in humans.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1600, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of infectious disease was
in 1600
Dictionary Entries Near infectious disease
Cite this Entry
“Infectious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infectious%20disease. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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
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