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
That same day, the CDC invoked Title 42 – a public health law that restricts entry into the US during outbreaks of communicable diseases – for at least 30 days starting Monday.
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Fifteen other Americans evacuated from the ship are in the National Quarantine Unit at the UNMC, while two are being monitored in the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026
In addition to the passengers taken to Nebraska, two other Americans are being monitored at the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Two were being monitored in the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
—Corey Williams, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for communicable disease
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Fifteen other Americans evacuated from the ship are in the National Quarantine Unit at the UNMC, while two are being monitored in the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026
In addition to the passengers taken to Nebraska, two other Americans are being monitored at the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Two were being monitored in the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
—Corey Williams, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for communicable disease
Cite this Entry
“Communicable disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communicable%20disease. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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