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

French infectious disease specialist Nathan Peiffer-Smadja said that "managing an outbreak is not about reassuring people and downplaying the situation... nor is it about predicting the next Covid".

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

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

From BBC • 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

While officials and infectious disease experts have been quick to note the seriousness of the rodent-borne disease, they have also stressed key differences between hantavirus and COVID-19.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Today, our jet planes have made even the longest intercontinental flights briefer than the duration of any human infectious disease.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond