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
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
Uncivil behavior can spread to bystanders like a virus, creating a workplace contagion that decimates productivity and well-being.
—
Laura Cassiday, Harvard Business Review, 28 Mar. 2025
In zombie or contagion scenarios, cities like Richmond are doomed.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
And there’s something of a science to the tactic, as studies of emotional contagion make clear.
—Brooke Erin Duffy, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
This closeness exponentially increases the potential for cat-to-human and eventually human-to-human contagion, and scientists say that testing capabilities and mRNA human vaccine research are not prepared for this.
—Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagion
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Laura Cassiday, Harvard Business Review, 28 Mar. 2025
In zombie or contagion scenarios, cities like Richmond are doomed.
—Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
And there’s something of a science to the tactic, as studies of emotional contagion make clear.
—Brooke Erin Duffy, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
This closeness exponentially increases the potential for cat-to-human and eventually human-to-human contagion, and scientists say that testing capabilities and mRNA human vaccine research are not prepared for this.
—Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagion
Cite this Entry
“Contagion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contagion. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
3
: a disease-producing agent (as a virus)
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