MEANING
The transmission of an infectious agent or disease, or an infection understood as communicable.
Use it for
Contact becoming dangerous; infection moving between hosts; a community guarding its boundariesName the threat of transmission, not merely the existence of sickness.
Words that belong together
- risk of contagion
- prevent contagion
- fear of contagion
On the page
The ward was closed to limit contagion.
Rumors of contagion emptied the waiting room.
They argued about contagion while the infected animals continued to arrive.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- contagion
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. Also metaphorical for rapidly spreading attitudes or effects. Not every disease is contagious, and contaminated objects do not always transmit infection. Usually uncountable for transmission; count plural contagions for distinct communicable infections. Derived family: contagious (adjective).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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