infection

American  

[in-fek-shuhn] / ɪnˈfɛk ʃən /

noun

1. an act or fact of infecting; state of being infected.

2. an infecting with germs of disease, as through the medium of infected insects, air, water, or clothing.

3. an infecting agency or influence.

4. an infectious disease.

   Is this infection very dangerous?

5. the condition of suffering an infection.

6. corruption of another's opinions, beliefs, moral principles, etc.; moral contamination.

7. an influence or impulse passing from one to another and affecting feeling or action.

8. Grammar. (in Celtic languages) assimilation in which a vowel is influenced by a following vowel or semivowel; umlaut.

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infection British  

/ ɪnˈfɛkʃən /

noun

1. invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms

2. the resulting condition in the tissues

3. an infectious disease

4. the act of infecting or state of being infected

5. an agent or influence that infects

6. persuasion or corruption, as by ideas, perverse influences, etc

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infection Scientific  

/ ĭn-fĕk′shən /

1. The invasion of the body of a human or an animal by a pathogen such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus. Infections can be localized, as in pharyngitis, or widespread as in sepsis, and are often accompanied by fever and an increased number of white blood cells. Individuals with immunodeficiency syndromes are predisposed to certain infections.

2. See also infectious disease opportunistic infection

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infection Cultural  

1. Invasion of the body or a body part by a pathogenic organism, which multiplies and produces harmful effects on the body's tissues.

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Other Word Forms

• noninfection noun
• postinfection adjective
• preinfection noun
• reinfection noun
• subinfection noun

Etymology

Origin of infection

1350–1400; Middle English infeccio ( u ) n < Late Latin infectiōn- (stem of infectiō ). See infect, -ion

Example Sentences

By most accounts, the HIV drug lenacapavir is so effective in preventing infection and treating HIV-positive patients that it could revolutionize the fight against AIDS.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

His 10th place there was seemingly excused as a minor infection was identified afterwards.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Endemicity is when an infection is constantly present, like the common cold.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

High-fat diets had little impact on the infection, and carbohydrate-heavy diets offered only modest benefits.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

The doctors had diagnosed her with a serious chest infection, but the good news had been that it could be cleared up with a series of powerful medications.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Related Words

• bug
• disease
• epidemic
• flu
• pollution
• virus