noun
infection
ihn-FEHK-shuhn
noun
1
An illness caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other germs entering the body.
"She was put on antibiotics to treat a chest infection."
"Washing your hands regularly helps prevent infection."
How to Use Infection
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disease caused by germs getting into the body and multiplying.
Common pairings
bacterial infection
risk of infection
fight off an infection
Word Forms
infections plural
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She was put on antibiotics to treat a chest _____.
Etymology
From Old French infection, from Late Latin īnfectiō, from infect + -ion.