# infection

/ˌɪnˈfɛkʃən/ (US) · /ɪnfˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infection
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the process of becoming sick

noun · CEFR B1

the act of germs or bacteria entering a person's body and starting to grow.

For teachers: the process by which a pathogen invades a host organism and begins to multiply.

- The doctor cleaned the wound carefully to prevent an infection from starting.
- Public health officials focused on the primary infection route, which appeared to be contaminated water sources in the rural districts.

### 2. an illness

noun · CEFR B1

a disease or sickness caused by bacteria, viruses, or other germs.

For teachers: a disease state resulting from the presence and activity of a pathogenic agent.

- She had a throat infection and had to stay home from work for three days.
- The patient was diagnosed with a secondary bacterial infection following a severe bout of seasonal influenza.

### 3. physical signs of disease

noun · CEFR B2

a visible sign of a disease, such as redness or swelling around a cut.

For teachers: the physical manifestation or site of a pathogenic presence, often characterized by inflammation or suppuration.

- The nurse noticed a small infection around the stitches on his arm.
- The surgeon examined the site for signs of localized infection, noting the absence of redness or discharge during the follow-up appointment.

## Examples

- Wash your hands to prevent a skin infection.
- The doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics to clear up the bacterial infection in his throat.
- While some viral infections resolve without medical intervention, others require targeted antiviral therapy to prevent the pathogen from overwhelming the patient's immune system.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.