contagion

noun

con·​ta·​gion kən-ˈtā-jən 

1

a

: a contagious disease

b

: the transmission of a disease by direct or indirect contact

c

: a disease-producing agent (such as a virus)

2

a

: poison

b

: contagious influence, quality, or nature

c

: corrupting influence or contact

3

a

: rapid communication of an influence (such as a doctrine or emotional state)

b

: an influence that spreads rapidly

Examples of contagion in a Sentence

a disease that spreads by contagion

People have been warned to keep out of the area to avoid contagion.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2021, as the world faced the Covid pandemic, eastern Australia was contending with an additional contagion — a great surplus of mice ravaging crops and communities alike, thanks to heavier-than-normal rains and warmer temperatures that pushed the crisis further and further south. —Lauren Christensen, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

For example, a return to using low carbon public transport with greater hygiene care while not impacting risks of future contagions. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Potential school suicide contagions occasionally make headlines, including in Palo Alto and around Colorado Springs. —Max Kutner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024

This process fosters emotional contagion and empathy, reinforcing touch as a vital tool for emotional connection. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contagioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contagiun, borrowed from Latin contāgiōn, contāgiō "contact, contact resulting in disease, infection, pollution," from contag-, variant stem of contingere "to be in contact with, arrive at, affect, fall to one's lot" + -iōn-, -iō, suffix of action nouns formed from compound verbs — more at contingent entry 1

Note: The vowel length in contāgiō is unexpected and difficult to explain; a similarly lengthened vowel is found in other deverbal derivatives with -ag- as a second member (compāgēs "bond, joint," from pangere, ambāgēs "circuitous path," from agere; see agent, pact).

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

contagion

noun

con·​ta·​gion kən-ˈtā-jən 

1

: the passing of a disease from one individual to another by direct or indirect contact

2

: a contagious disease or something (as a virus) that causes a contagious disease

Medical Definition

contagion

noun

con·​ta·​gion kən-ˈtā-jən 

1

: the transmission of a disease by direct or indirect contact

2

: contagious disease

3

: a disease-producing agent (as a virus)