infection
ihn-FEHK-shuhn
Infection (noun) means an illness caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other germs entering the body. Example: “She was put on antibiotics to treat a chest infection.”
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."
"The doctor said the cut had turned into an infection and needed treatment."
How to use infection
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disease caused by germs getting into the body and multiplying.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bacterial infection
risk of infection
fight off an infection
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Word forms
- Plural
- infections
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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.
Related words
Rhymes for infection
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for infection →
Frequently asked questions
What does “infection” mean?
The word “infection” means an illness caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other germs entering the body. In plain terms, a disease caused by germs getting into the body and multiplying.
How do you pronounce “infection”?
“Infection” is pronounced ihn-FEHK-shuhn (/ɪnˈfɛkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “infection” in a sentence?
Here is “infection” used in a sentence: “She was put on antibiotics to treat a chest infection.”
What part of speech is “infection”?
“Infection” is a noun.
Where does the word “infection” come from?
The word “infection” comes from Late Latin. From Old French infection, from Late Latin īnfectiō, from infect + -ion.
Is “infection” a common word?
“Infection” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between an 'infection' and a 'disease'?
An infection is caused by germs such as bacteria or viruses entering the body, while a disease is any condition that impairs normal functioning, whether or not germs are involved. Infections can lead to disease, but not all diseases are infections.
What is the difference between 'infection' and 'contagion'?
An infection is the illness itself caused by germs in the body, while contagion refers to the spread of a disease from one person to another. A contagious infection is one that passes easily between people.
What is the difference between a bacterial and a viral infection?
Both are infections caused by germs entering the body, but a bacterial infection is caused by bacteria and a viral infection by viruses. The distinction matters medically because antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral ones.
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