disease

[dih-zeez]

noun

1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.

   Synonyms: malady, disorder, infirmity, indisposition, distemper, derangement, complaint, morbidity
   Antonyms: health

2. any abnormal condition in a plant that interferes with its vital physiological processes, caused by pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, unfavorable environmental, genetic, or nutritional factors, etc.

3. any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society.

   His fascination with executions is a disease.

4. decomposition of a material under special circumstances.

   tin disease.

verb (used with object)

diseased, diseasing 

1. to affect with disease; make ill.

   Antonyms: cure

disease

/ dɪˈziːz /

noun

1. any impairment of normal physiological function affecting all or part of an organism, esp a specific pathological change caused by infection, stress, etc, producing characteristic symptoms; illness or sickness in general

2. a corresponding condition in plants

3. any situation or condition likened to this

   the disease of materialism

Other Word Forms

• diseasedly adverb
• diseasedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disease¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English disese, from Anglo-French dese(a)se, disaise; dis- ¹ + ease

Word History and Origins

Origin of disease¹

C14: from Old French desaise; see _dis- ¹ , _ease

Example Sentences

“Every contribution to Komen makes a meaningful difference in supporting patients, funding research and driving progress toward ending this disease,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These investments saved millions of lives, countered propaganda from countries like China and Russia, and stopped diseases from reaching our shores.

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Because Alzheimer's disease is linked to sharp declines in cholinergic health, the results help explain previous findings that such exercises can lower dementia risk and enhance cognitive performance.

Read more on Science Daily

Researchers say the results highlight how individual metabolism plays a crucial role in protecting against cardiovascular disease.

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If you have one very bad day with a fall, or a diagnosis of a chronic illness like cancer or kidney disease, your costs will skyrocket on Medicare Advantage, according to experts.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• Cancer 
• bug 
• condition 
• contamination 
• defect 
• disorder 
• epidemic 
• fever 
• flu 
• illness 
• infection 
• inflammation 
• malady 
• plague 
• sickness 
• stroke 
• syndrome 
• virus