contagious disease

Cultural

An infectious disease that is spread through contact with infected individuals; also called a communicable disease. Contact with the bodily secretions of such individuals, or with objects that they have contaminated, can also spread this kind of disease.

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.

"They didn't even consider the possibility of having such a contagious disease," he added.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

While Bangladesh has long vaccinated children against the highly contagious disease, the recent outbreak has exposed gaps in its programme, raising concern.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

This year, the highly contagious disease has been reported at schools, airports and Disneyland.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

The agency is in dire need of upgraded data analysis systems, Lurie says, which would help it more nimbly manage the brush fire of a contagious disease before it gets out of control.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 26, 2024

SAD is an extremely contagious disease that causes total memory loss in those who contract it.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023