infection

noun

in-FEK-shuhn/ɪnˈfɛkʃən/

Pluralinfections

4 meanings of infection

1
nouncountable
A sickness caused when germs like bacteria or viruses get into the body.
Like a small fire that spreads through a house if no one puts it out.
The doctor said her sore throat was caused by an infection.
He took medicine to fight the infection in his lungs.
Similardisease, illness
Note
2
nouncountable or uncountable
When harmful germs grow out of control inside a living body.
Like a tiny patch of weeds that quickly spreads across a whole yard.
The infection spread quickly through the open wound.
Doctors worked to stop the infection before it reached his blood.
3
noununcountable
The way germs get into the body and start to cause illness.
Like a thief sneaking into a house and then causing trouble inside.
Washing your hands often helps prevent infection.
The deep cut led to infection because no one cleaned it.
Similarcontamination, contagion
Note
4
nouncountable or uncountable
A visible sign of illness, like pus coming out of a cut or wound.
Like smoke that tells you there is a fire you cannot see directly.
The redness and pus showed there was an infection in the cut.
She noticed clear signs of infection around the stitches.

Practice

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Origin

From Old French infection, from Late Latin īnfectiō. It is 'infect' plus '-ion'.