infect
verb
in·fect
| \ in-ˈfekt
\
\
infected;
infecting;
infects
Definition of infect
1
: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (such as bacteria)
2a
: to communicate a pathogen or a disease to
b
of a pathogenic organism
: to invade (an individual or organ) usually by penetration
c
of a computer virus
: to become transmitted and copied to (a device, such as a computer)
3a
: contaminate, corrupt
the inflated writing that infects such stories
b
: to work upon or seize upon so as to induce sympathy, belief, or support
trying to infect their salespeople with their enthusiasm
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from infect
infector
\ in-ˈfek-tər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of infect in a Sentence
If you're sick you should stay home to avoid infecting other people in the office.
The virus has infected many people.
They were unable to prevent bacteria from infecting the wound.
Her enthusiasm has infected everyone.
The virus has infected many computers.
All the computers in the office were infected by the same virus.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
A month after Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide in a Manhattan jail cell, the number of people infected by his amorality and deceit remains unknown. — STAT, "A view from inside MIT: The Epstein scandal is a teachable moment for colleges and universities," 9 Sep. 2019 The cat area briefly closed in July after some kittens were infected by panleukopenia, which is deadly to unvaccinated felines. — USA TODAY, "Rare elephant calf, two-headed rattlesnake, another quake off Oregon: News from around our 50 states," 6 Sep. 2019 So far in 2019, three horses and one goat have been infected by the virus in Massachusetts, Brown said. — Hanna Krueger, BostonGlobe.com, "‘It decimated his brain’: Woman recounts husband’s battle with EEE," 27 Aug. 2019 As part of the ongoing storyline that sees familiar faces fall prey to their worst impulses, DC has announced two new one-off releases focusing on the heroes who have become infected by the Batman Who Laughs. — Graeme Mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "DC's Comic Book Line Gets 'Infected' in November," 15 Aug. 2019 Only a tiny fraction of the 10 million people infected by TB each year get this type, but very few of them survive it. — New York Times, "Scientists Discover New Cure for the Deadliest Strain of Tuberculosis," 14 Aug. 2019 Winegard, who teaches at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, recalls colleagues and students left paralyzed after being infected by West Nile virus in their own backyards. — Katie Wudel, Los Angeles Times, "Review: The mosquito isn’t just annoying — Timothy C. Winegard says we’re at war," 9 Aug. 2019 The 25-year-old was forced to undergo surgery, after being infected by a spider or a mosquito, leaving the Champions League winner unable to take part in the Reds' upcoming pre-season friendlies. — SI.com, "Andy Robertson Suffers Bizarre Insect Bite Injury During Liverpool Pre-Season," 14 July 2019 The show delivers some truly grotesque body horror, as first rats and then people are infected by the season’s villain and dissolve into oozing piles of flesh and organs with nightmarish capabilities. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "Stranger Things season 3 goes full Aliens with its action," 5 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for infect
infect
verb
English Language Learners Definition of infect
: to cause (someone or something) to become sick or affected by disease
: to cause (someone) to feel an emotion
of an emotion
: to spread to (other people)
See the full definition for infect in the English Language Learners Dictionary
infect
verb
in·fect
| \ in-ˈfekt
\
\
infected;
infecting
Kids Definition of infect
1
: to pass on or introduce a germ, illness, or disease to : to cause sickness in
Don't infect me with your cold. The bacteria can infect wounds.
2
: to cause to share similar feelings
Her enthusiasm infects the other players.
infect
transitive verb
in·fect
| \ in-ˈfekt
\
\
Medical Definition of infect
1
: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (as bacteria)
2a
: to communicate a pathogen or a disease to
b
of a pathogenic organism
: to invade (an individual or organ) usually by penetration — compare infest
Keep scrolling for more