communicable disease
noun
plural communicable diseases
: an infectious disease (such as cholera, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmissible by contact with infected individuals or their bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets, blood, or semen), by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, by ingestion of contaminated food or water, or by direct or indirect contact with disease vectors (such as mosquitoes, fleas, or mice)
Note: The terms communicable disease and contagious disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis that are spread by contact with disease vectors are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.
Examples of communicable disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While the weather getting colder brings forth many negative developments, like communicable disease, heating bills, and shorter days, one of autumn’s unmitigated delights is finding old cash that’s been lingering in your coat pockets for months on end.
—
Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024
As a result, communicable diseases that had been all but eradicated during the Mao era reemerged and spread quickly in the 1980s.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2011
Kamala Harris' open border, Kristen, has led to skyrocketing housing costs in Springfield, rising rates of crime, rising rates of communicable diseases.
—NBC News, 15 Sep. 2024
And to anybody listening, Margaret, this is what Kamala Harris wants to do to every town in this country, overwhelm them with migration, stress their municipal budgets, see communicable diseases on the rise.
—CBS News, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for communicable disease 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024
As a result, communicable diseases that had been all but eradicated during the Mao era reemerged and spread quickly in the 1980s.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2011
Kamala Harris' open border, Kristen, has led to skyrocketing housing costs in Springfield, rising rates of crime, rising rates of communicable diseases.
—NBC News, 15 Sep. 2024
And to anybody listening, Margaret, this is what Kamala Harris wants to do to every town in this country, overwhelm them with migration, stress their municipal budgets, see communicable diseases on the rise.
—CBS News, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for communicable disease
Dictionary Entries Near communicable disease
Cite this Entry
“Communicable disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communicable%20disease. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share