infected
adjective
in·fect·ed
in-ˈfek-təd 
: having an infection : contaminated with an infective agent (such as a bacterium or virus)
an infected wound
Through a number of different means, these viruses persist at very low, hard-to-detect levels in infected cells.—
The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationShe explains that leptospirosis bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals.—Tania Banak
Tania BanakThe fungus produces as many as 1 million conidia per square centimeter of infected leaf surface.—G. B. Lucas
G. B. LucasExamples of infected in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the news release from the health department, and can linger in a space for up to two hours.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
It is spread through close contact with an infected person, such as through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
It is spread through airborne particles released when an infected person coughs, speaks or sneezes.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
It can also be passed from one person to another four days before an infected person shows signs of having it.
—Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
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Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
It is spread through close contact with an infected person, such as through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
It is spread through airborne particles released when an infected person coughs, speaks or sneezes.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
It can also be passed from one person to another four days before an infected person shows signs of having it.
—Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
Cite this Entry
“Infected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infected. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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