communicable disease
noun
plural communicable diseases
: an infectious disease (such as cholera, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, measles, or tuberculosis) that is transmissible by contact with infected individuals or their bodily discharges or fluids (such as respiratory droplets, blood, or semen), by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, by ingestion of contaminated food or water, or by direct or indirect contact with disease vectors (such as mosquitoes, fleas, or mice)
Note: The terms communicable disease and contagious disease are often used interchangeably. However, communicable diseases such as malaria or schistosomiasis that are spread by contact with disease vectors are not typically considered to be "contagious" diseases since they cannot be spread from direct contact with another person.
Examples of communicable disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Religious exemption: The religious exemption may not be allowed if the state has a compelling reason for vaccination, such as to prevent the spread of serious communicable diseases.
—
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2024
Vaccines are the answer to communicable diseases, spread from one person to another.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2021
While the weather getting colder brings forth many negative developments, like communicable disease, heating bills, and shorter days, one of autumn’s unmitigated delights is finding old cash that’s been lingering in your coat pockets for months on end.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024
As a result, communicable diseases that had been all but eradicated during the Mao era reemerged and spread quickly in the 1980s.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2011
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Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2024
Vaccines are the answer to communicable diseases, spread from one person to another.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2021
While the weather getting colder brings forth many negative developments, like communicable disease, heating bills, and shorter days, one of autumn’s unmitigated delights is finding old cash that’s been lingering in your coat pockets for months on end.
—Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024
As a result, communicable diseases that had been all but eradicated during the Mao era reemerged and spread quickly in the 1980s.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2011
See all Example Sentences for communicable disease
Dictionary Entries Near communicable disease
Cite this Entry
“Communicable disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communicable%20disease. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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