intermediate host

noun

1

: a host which is normally used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and in which it may multiply asexually but not sexually compare definitive host

2

a

: reservoir sense 3a

b

: vector

Examples of intermediate host in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once there, it’s been known to release proteins that seem to affect the behavior of its intermediate host. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2024

Vandegrift has speculated that mice might act as an intermediate host, but tests his team did of white-footed mice living near a research colony of deer infected with SARS‐CoV‑2 came back negative. —Jon Cohen, science.org, 29 Apr. 2024

While cows were an unexpected addition to the list, federal officials noted last week that affected dairy farms had found dead wild birds on their farms, suggesting that wild birds introduced the virus to the cows, not an intermediate host. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024

Environmental transmission can involve another step, either an intermediate host or another sort of reservoir where a pathogen can live between infections. —Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

intermediate host

noun

: a host that is normally used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and that may actively carry it from one living thing to another

Medical Definition

intermediate host

noun

1

: a host which is normally used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and in which it may multiply asexually but not sexually compare definitive host

2

a

: reservoir sense 2

b

: vector sense 2