infected; infecting; infects
1
: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent (such as bacteria)
2
a
: 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)
3
a
: 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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
In mid-July, the Cincinnati Health Department detected mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in the city's Bond Hill and Madisonville neighborhoods.
—
Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2024
Thirteen farmworkers have been infected with the virus this year, some suffering eye redness, others a cough.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
One 2024 study of several hundred German athletes found that elite athletes infected with COVID had milder infections than nonelite ones.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 80 percent of people infected with the virus don't show symptoms.
—Jolan Kruse, Journal Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infect 
Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2024
Thirteen farmworkers have been infected with the virus this year, some suffering eye redness, others a cough.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
One 2024 study of several hundred German athletes found that elite athletes infected with COVID had milder infections than nonelite ones.
—Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 80 percent of people infected with the virus don't show symptoms.
—Jolan Kruse, Journal Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infect
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near infect
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infect. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infect
verb
in·fect
in-ˈfekt 
1
: to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or germ
infected bedding
2
a
: to pass a germ or disease to
coughing people who infect others
b
: to enter and cause disease in
bacteria that infect wounds
c
: to become copied to
a virus has infected the computer
3
: to cause to share one's feelings
infected everyone with his enthusiasm
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