infection
Meaning of infection: Invasion and multiplication of a microorganism in or on the body.
Definition of infection
Infection occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites enter the body and multiply. Infection may cause symptoms and tissue damage, remain localized, spread, or sometimes be present without apparent illness.
Used in a sentence
A culture was obtained because the wound showed signs of infection.
Good to know
Infection can trigger inflammation, but inflammation also has many noninfectious causes.
Word origin
Where “infection” comes from
From Latin inficere, meaning “to taint.”