infect
verb (used with object)
to affect or contaminate (a person, organ, wound, etc.) with disease-producing germs.
infecting
-
present participleof infect.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A city-commissioned inspection report found that waste and high temperatures at the warehouse could speed up the breeding of flies capable of infecting wounds in both people and animals, a local NBC affiliate reported, external.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Before the virus was identified, it spread from herd to herd, infecting cattle and contaminating their surroundings.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 23, 2026
The good news is the virus has shown no signs of mutating to make it better at infecting people.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026
With hantavirus, the incubation period can take up to six weeks, so people must be isolated for a really long time to ensure they won’t get sick and start infecting others.
From Slate ● May 16, 2026
Like all the young people who entered that year, she discovered the appeal of nightlong gatherings in cafes, talking about the necessary changes in the world and infecting each other with the passion of ideas.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
