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

Additionally, a temporary halt on public health communications from federal agencies has sparked criticism from infectious disease experts, who warn that restricting information could hinder efforts to contain the outbreak. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

The platform’s potential applications span neurology, oncology, and infectious disease treatment, areas where precision medicine could be transformative. —WWD, 14 Feb. 2025

The county estimates that nearly 80 percent of kids ages five to 17 were not vaccinated this season and that breakdown sounds familiar to Dr. Edmund Milder, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

The infectious disease specialist said the vaccine is most effective at preventing tuberculosis that is in other parts of the body outside of the lungs. —Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 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