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

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humans. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2025 Measles is a highly contagious disease where symptoms may begin 7 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC. —

James Powel, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025 The contagious disease was responsible for 1.25 million global deaths in 2023, WHO reported, including 161,000 people with HIV. COVID-19 had overtaken TB as the world’s leading infectious killer for the previous three years. —

Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2024 These are just a couple of examples of the contagious diseases that vaccines have combatted in my lifetime. —

Sheila Jaffe, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contagious disease

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of contagious disease was in 1529

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Dictionary Entries Near contagious disease

contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

contagious disease

contagious distribution

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Contagious disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contagious%20disease. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

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Medical Definition

contagious disease

noun

: an infectious disease (as influenza, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or infected bodily discharges or fluids (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 (as malaria or schistosomiasis) that are spread by contact with disease vectors (as mosquitoes or ticks) are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.

Last Updated: 20 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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contagious disease

noun

Examples of contagious disease in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near contagious disease

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition