intermediate host
noun
1
: a host which is normally used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle and in which it may multiply asexually but not sexually compare definitive host
2
b
: vector
Examples of intermediate host in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While cows were an unexpected addition to the list, federal officials noted last week that affected dairy farms had found dead wild birds on their farms, suggesting that wild birds introduced the virus to the cows, not an intermediate host.
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Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024
Environmental transmission can involve another step, either an intermediate host or another sort of reservoir where a pathogen can live between infections.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2024
In this case, the cattle are what is known as the intermediate host since the virus passed from birds to cattle and then to humans.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Hydatid disease typically follows a dog-sheep-dog pattern, cycling through its intermediate host, the sheep, with the ultimate destination in its definite host, the dog.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2012
See all Example Sentences for intermediate host 
Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024
Environmental transmission can involve another step, either an intermediate host or another sort of reservoir where a pathogen can live between infections.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2024
In this case, the cattle are what is known as the intermediate host since the virus passed from birds to cattle and then to humans.
—Katia Hetter, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Hydatid disease typically follows a dog-sheep-dog pattern, cycling through its intermediate host, the sheep, with the ultimate destination in its definite host, the dog.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2012
See all Example Sentences for intermediate host
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intermediate host.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Intermediate host.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermediate%20host. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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