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

Dr. Trahern W. Jones, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in Utah, said the outbreak was no accident: “This outbreak is the product of years of miscommunication and misinformation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

Other than measles, which is preventable, the U.S. is not the center of any major infectious disease outbreaks.

From Salon • May 20, 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 a throw-back to the Covid era, the outbreak has put infectious disease specialists, virologists and epidemiologists back into the news.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Both involved quarantines—the practice of isolating someone with a highly infectious disease from the healthy population.

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