infectious disease

American  

[in-fek-shuhs di-zeez] / ɪnˈfɛk ʃəs dɪˈziz /

noun

1. a disease caused by a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism, and often spreading by contact between individuals or by a vector such as an insect: ID

   Chicken pox and cholera are infectious diseases.

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infectious disease Scientific  

1. A disease caused by a microorganism or other agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that enters the body of an organism.

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Etymology

Origin of infectious disease

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

“The burden of infectious disease around the world continues to be high and in many cases growing,” Skovronsky said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

There are constant outbreaks of infectious disease on these floating holidays, and people want to know whether I would tolerate the risk of getting ill on a cruise ship.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

In cases of human-to-human transmission, existing knowledge about environmental factors relating to contagion from rodents "does not apply," infectious disease specialist Maria Ester Lazaro told AFP.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Public health and infectious disease specialists will assess whether the individuals are able to self-isolate at home, or whether another location should be arranged.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

At the end of the twentieth century, tuberculosis was killing about two million people a year, more adults than any other infectious disease except for AIDS.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French