disease

noun

dis·​ease di-ˈzēz How to pronounce disease (audio)
1
: a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms : sickness, malady
infectious diseases
a rare genetic disease
heart disease
2
: a harmful development (as in a social institution)
sees the city's crime as a disease
3
obsolete : trouble

Examples of disease in a Sentence

He suffers from a rare genetic disease. a disease of the mind Thousands die of heart disease each year. They are working to stop the spread of disease in rural areas. The article cites intolerance as one of the most dangerous of society's diseases. He sees crime as a disease that too often plagues the poor and disadvantaged.
Recent Examples on the Web Trimming back your tree can also help prevent the spread of disease—cut back branches with canker sores on them about five inches below the sore. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024 Drinking green tea regularly has been linked with lower rates of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024 Each participant provided a blood sample and underwent standard clinical evaluations for Alzheimer’s disease. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 There don't appear to be changes in how the disease is transmitted from animals to humans. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disease 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disese, from Anglo-French desease, desaise, from des- dis- + eise ease

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of disease was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near disease

Cite this Entry

“Disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disease. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

disease

noun
dis·​ease diz-ˈēz How to pronounce disease (audio)
: an abnormal bodily condition of a living plant or animal that interferes with functioning and can usually be recognized by signs and symptoms : illness
diseased adjective

Medical Definition

disease

noun
dis·​ease diz-ˈēz How to pronounce disease (audio)
: an impairment of the normal state of the living animal or plant body or one of its parts that interrupts or modifies the performance of the vital functions, is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms, and is a response to environmental factors (as malnutrition, industrial hazards, or climate), to specific infective agents (as worms, bacteria, or viruses), to inherent defects of the organism (as genetic anomalies), or to combinations of these factors : sickness, illness

called also morbus

compare health sense 1
diseased adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on disease

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