infectious disease

[in-fek-shuhs di-zeez]

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.

infectious disease

1. A disease caused by a microorganism or other agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that enters the body of an organism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of infectious disease¹

First recorded in 1570–80