infection

noun

Definition of infectionnext
as in virus
an abnormal state caused by contact with harmful organisms (such as bacteria or viruses) There is a viral infection spreading among the schoolchildren.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of infection Other complications can include stroke, organ damage, and increased risk of infection. — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Around this time, he was treated for an infection in his feet caused by maggots — one of numerous hospitalizations, prompting a call from Adult Protective Services over his care, the filing says. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 The goat tested positive for caseous lymphadenitis, a highly contagious bacterial infection that can be fatal to animals and can be transmitted to humans through meat or milk, according to vet records from OSU obtained by the Statesman. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026 Anything contaminated with feces containing Shigella could cause an infection — even a very small amount of it. — Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
  1. virus
  2. germ
Noun
  • If a pregnant person is exposed to the virus, they’re recommended to receive intravenous immunoglobulin to help protect against infection—but only if it is given within six days of exposure.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
  • This comes as the world’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record continues to outpace efforts, and the virus has spread into eight provinces in Congo and into neighboring countries, Kenya and Uganda.
    — Monika Pronczuk, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of virus
Noun
  • Shigella bacteria are named for Japanese bacteriologist Shiga Kiyoshi, who discovered the germ in 1897, Britannica said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers First Looked to Animal Models for Clues Your gut is home to a community of microbes called the microbiome, and these helpful germs play an important role in digestion.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of germ

Browse Nearby Words

infecting
infection
infectious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on infection

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infection

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All