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

Dr. Trahern W. Jones, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in Utah, said the outbreak was no accident: “This outbreak is the product of years of miscommunication and misinformation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 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

Thrust back into the front line by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, infectious disease experts have to balance informing the public about its potential risks without provoking undue fear of a Covid-scale pandemic.

From Barron's • May 13, 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

A few years back, Farmer had talked him into training as an infectious disease specialist.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French