infectious disease

noun

: a disease (such as influenza, malaria, meningitis, rabies, or tetanus) caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) which grow and multiply there compare communicable disease, contagious disease

Examples of infectious disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, infectious disease threats are on the rise or on the horizon. —Kff Health News, Twin Cities, 9 Dec. 2024

Another concern is that the nominees, if confirmed, will deemphasize and reduce funding for infectious disease, as well as testing and therapeutics. —Tina Reed, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024

But amid growing fears of a deadly bird flu pandemic, perhaps no one was more rattled than experts in infectious disease. —Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2024

The risk to the general public from H5N1 remains low, according to state health officials, though some infectious disease experts have raised alarm bells about bird flu and its potential for an outbreak in humans. —Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

infectious disease

noun

: a disease caused by the presence, growth, and increase in numbers of germs in the body

Medical Definition

infectious disease

noun

: a disease (as influenza, malaria, meningitis, rabies, or tetanus) caused by the entrance into the body of pathogenic agents or microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) which grow and multiply there compare communicable disease, contagious disease