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.

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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.

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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 cases of human-to-human transmission, existing knowledge about environmental factors relating to contagion from rodents "does not apply," infectious disease specialist Maria Ester Lazaro told AFP.

From Barron's • May 15, 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

It seems to have spread as a kind of infectious disease exacerbated by the strains of ambition, affluence, family disintegration, and loneliness.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden