infection

The definition of infection is the process of bacteria or viruses invading the body or making someone ill or diseased.

(noun)

See infection in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an infecting; specif.,
1. the act of causing to become diseased
2. the act of affecting with one's feelings or beliefs
the fact or state of being infected, esp. by the presence in the body of bacteria, protozoans, viruses, or other parasites
something that results from infecting or being infected; specif.,
1. a disease resulting from infection (sense )
2. a feeling, belief, influence, etc. transmitted from one person to another
anything that infects

Origin: ME infeccioun < OFr infection < LL infectio

See infection in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in a bodily part or tissue, which may produce subsequent tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular or toxic mechanisms.
b. An instance of being infected.
c. An agent or a contaminated substance responsible for one's becoming infected.
d. The pathological state resulting from having been infected.
An infectious disease.
a. Moral contamination or corruption.
b. Ready communication of an emotion or attitude by contact or example.