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
Additionally, secondhand marijuana smoke has higher levels of fine particulate matter, which can cause cardiovascular disease and lung irritation and make respiratory infections and asthma attacks more likely.
—David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Uncontrolled tooth decay can lead to infections, loss of teeth and painful abscesses.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Common symptoms include: Fever Muscle aches Headache Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Diarrhea
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
Death
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Bad infections year after year can put extra stress on a tree.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infection 
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Uncontrolled tooth decay can lead to infections, loss of teeth and painful abscesses.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Common symptoms include: Fever Muscle aches Headache Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Diarrhea
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
Death
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Bad infections year after year can put extra stress on a tree.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infection
Articles Related to infection
Dictionary Entries Near infection
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infection. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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