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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of infectious disease

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

“The burden of infectious disease around the world continues to be high and in many cases growing,” Skovronsky said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

As an epidemiologist who knows far too much about infectious disease, I’m still toying with going on a cruise next year with my family.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

In infectious disease settings, for instance, systems that detect infections are often designed to accept more false positives to avoid missing contagious individuals.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Public health and infectious disease specialists will assess whether the individuals are then able to self-isolate at home for up to 45 days, or whether another location should be arranged.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

In 2004 two U.S. anthropologists and a Venezuelan medical researcher proposed that Native American susceptibility to infectious disease might have a second cause: helper-T cells, which like HLAs help the immune system recognize foreign objects.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann