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
The disease has a nearly 40% fatality rate in those who are infected.
—
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Unlike a recent outbreak in the capital city of Kigali, Rwanda, where many healthcare workers became infected, Kagera is a rural region with a lower population density, likely resulting in fewer opportunities for the virus to spread.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Since then, the five plaintiffs have been infected with H. Pylori.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infect
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.
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Unlike a recent outbreak in the capital city of Kigali, Rwanda, where many healthcare workers became infected, Kagera is a rural region with a lower population density, likely resulting in fewer opportunities for the virus to spread.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
—ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
Since then, the five plaintiffs have been infected with H. Pylori.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infect
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infect. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share