infection
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the act of germs or bacteria entering a person's body and starting to grow.
the process by which a pathogen invades a host organism and begins to multiply.
Simple“The doctor cleaned the wound carefully to prevent an infection from starting.”
In context“Public health officials focused on the primary infection route, which appeared to be contaminated water sources in the rural districts.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
a disease or sickness caused by bacteria, viruses, or other germs.
a disease state resulting from the presence and activity of a pathogenic agent.
Simple“She had a throat infection and had to stay home from work for three days.”
In context“The patient was diagnosed with a secondary bacterial infection following a severe bout of seasonal influenza.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a visible sign of a disease, such as redness or swelling around a cut.
the physical manifestation or site of a pathogenic presence, often characterized by inflammation or suppuration.
Simple“The nurse noticed a small infection around the stitches on his arm.”
In context“The surgeon examined the site for signs of localized infection, noting the absence of redness or discharge during the follow-up appointment.”
Synonyms
Usage infection prevention · infections more often
From Old French infection, from Late Latin īnfectiō. Equivalent to infect + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.