infected; infecting; infects
1
: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (such as bacteria)
2
a
: to communicate a pathogen or a disease to
b
of a pathogenic organism
: to invade (an individual or organ) usually by penetration
c
of a computer virus
: to become transmitted and copied to (a device, such as a computer)
3
a
: contaminate, corrupt
the inflated writing that infects such stories
b
: to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support
trying to infect their salespeople with their enthusiasm
Examples of infect in a Sentence
If you're sick you should stay home to avoid infecting other people in the office.
The virus has infected many people.
They were unable to prevent bacteria from infecting the wound.
Her enthusiasm has infected everyone.
The virus has infected many computers.
All the computers in the office were infected by the same virus.
Recent Examples on the Web
People can also be infected by drinking raw milk; touching raw milk, cow or bird feces and other contaminated surfaces; and handling sick or dead animals carrying the virus.
—
Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Women infected while pregnant can pass the disease to their babies.
—Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
In June of this year, CDK was infected by ransomware, causing many of its systems to go offline.
—Vishaal Hariprasad, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Because pathogens spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infect some 400 million people each year — with about a quarter developing related diseases — understanding how to disrupt mosquito lifecycles could provide important insights into disease prevention, according to the authors.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infect 
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Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Women infected while pregnant can pass the disease to their babies.
—Kff Health News, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
In June of this year, CDK was infected by ransomware, causing many of its systems to go offline.
—Vishaal Hariprasad, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Because pathogens spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infect some 400 million people each year — with about a quarter developing related diseases — understanding how to disrupt mosquito lifecycles could provide important insights into disease prevention, according to the authors.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infect
Dictionary Entries Near infect
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infect. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infect
verb
in·fect
in-ˈfekt 
1
: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or germ
infected bedding
2
a
: to pass a germ or disease to
coughing people who infect others
b
: to enter and cause disease in
bacteria that infect wounds
c
: to become copied to
a virus has infected the computer
3
: to cause to share one's feelings
infected everyone with his enthusiasm
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