infection
noun
in·fec·tion
in-ˈfek-shən 
1
a
: the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents (such as a bacteria, protozoans, or viruses) in or on the body of a suitable host
an infection in his foot
b
: a disease resulting from infection
contagious infections
infections of childhood
2
: an act or process of infecting something or someone
also
: the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3
: an infectious agent or material contaminated with an infectious agent
… that notion that the infection was all in the air, that there was no such thing as contagion from the sick people to the sound …—
Daniel Defoe
Daniel DefoeIt may not be uninteresting to add, that this case I vaccinated with infection taken from a secondary pock on the arm of her sister …—John Redman Coxe
John Redman Coxe4
: the communication of emotions or qualities through example or contact
But immediately she resisted this intolerable fear as an infection from her husband's way of thinking.—George Eliot
George Eliot
also
: the emotion or quality that is communicated
… as the evening wore on, she caught the infection of their excitement … —Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy Besides, I know what sort of a mind I have placed in communication with my own: I know it is one not liable to take infection … —Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë 5
: the act or result of corrupting someone's morals, character, etc.
… it is at least as difficult to stay a moral infection as a physical one …—Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens… they could not know the origin—or the depth—of his susceptibility to the infection of power.—Robert A. Caro
Robert A. CaroExamples of infection in a Sentence
Poor hygiene can increase the danger of infection.
The wound has so far remained free of infection.
steps you can take to decrease your computer's risk of infection
Recent Examples on the Web
This can include bleeding, blood clots, infection, diarrhea, and more.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 16 Apr. 2024
Also, cutting and sucking on the wound is likely to increase the risk of infection and cause further tissue damage.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024
Examples of fungal infections are yeast infections, jock itch, ringworm, and athlete's foot.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
But those kinds of infections usually make the skin hot and red.
—Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
One study showed that residents of nursing homes owned by private equity experienced 10% greater death rates and another showed that patients at hospitals owned by the firms experienced more adverse events, including greater numbers of falls and far more infections.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Doctors report malnourished patients dying from infections at Gaza hospital
If western journalists were allowed into Gaza, then the risks of any assignment would be significant.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024
After three surgeries—one of which gave him an infection that nearly killed him a second time—Brogdon had stabilized.
—The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
Wild migratory birds are believed to be the source of the infection, the USDA said, and viral testing and epidemiologic efforts remained underway.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024
Lauryn Higgins, Health, 16 Apr. 2024
Also, cutting and sucking on the wound is likely to increase the risk of infection and cause further tissue damage.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2024
Examples of fungal infections are yeast infections, jock itch, ringworm, and athlete's foot.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
But those kinds of infections usually make the skin hot and red.
—Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
One study showed that residents of nursing homes owned by private equity experienced 10% greater death rates and another showed that patients at hospitals owned by the firms experienced more adverse events, including greater numbers of falls and far more infections.
—Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Doctors report malnourished patients dying from infections at Gaza hospital
If western journalists were allowed into Gaza, then the risks of any assignment would be significant.
—Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2024
After three surgeries—one of which gave him an infection that nearly killed him a second time—Brogdon had stabilized.
—The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
Wild migratory birds are believed to be the source of the infection, the USDA said, and viral testing and epidemiologic efforts remained underway.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near infection
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infection. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infection
noun
in·fec·tion
in-ˈfek-shən
1
: an act or process of infecting
2
a
: the state produced by something infectious (as a germ or parasite) living in or on a suitable host
b
: a disease resulting from infection : infectious disease
3
a
: something (as a bacterium or virus) infectious
b
: material contaminated with something infectious
Medical Definition
infection
noun
in·fec·tion
in-ˈfek-shən
1
a
: the state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents or microorganisms (as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, or fungi) in or on the body of a suitable host
treated a bacterial infection of the eye
b
: a disease resulting from infection : infectious disease
common infections of childhood
contagious infections
2
: an act or process of infecting something or someone
syphilis infection is chiefly venereal
also
: the establishment of a pathogen in its host after invasion
3
: an infectious agent or material contaminated with an infectious agent
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