contagious disease
noun
plural contagious diseases
: an infectious disease (such as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets), by contact with a contaminated surface or object, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water
Note: The terms contagious disease and communicable disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis that are spread by contact with disease vectors (such as mosquitoes or ticks) are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.
Examples of contagious disease in a Sentence
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Measles is a contagious disease that spreads through the air and from contaminated surfaces.
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Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025
The drop in vaccination coverage comes as the U.S. grapples with rising cases of the measles— one of the most contagious diseases in the world.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 31 July 2025
Measles is among the most contagious diseases known.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases to affect humans, and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
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Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 3 Aug. 2025
The drop in vaccination coverage comes as the U.S. grapples with rising cases of the measles— one of the most contagious diseases in the world.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 31 July 2025
Measles is among the most contagious diseases known.
—Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases to affect humans, and can linger in the air for up to two hours.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contagious disease
Cite this Entry
“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contagious%20disease. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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