Contagion is the spreading of a particular disease by someone touching another person who is already affected by the disease.
They have been reluctant to admit AIDS patients, in part because of unfounded fearsof contagion.
I'm a blood donor; I can't risk any contagion.
Synonyms: contamination, infection, corruption, pollution More Synonyms of contagion
2. singular noun [oft NOUNof noun]
You can use contagion to refer to the spreading of ideas, or attitudes, or feelings that you consider to be bad or unacceptable from one group of people to another.
[disapproval]
He continues to insulate his country from the contagion of foreign ideas.
Synonyms: spread, spreading, communication, passage More Synonyms of contagion
3. countable noun
A contagion is a contagious disease.
[old-fashioned]
More Synonyms of contagion
contagion in British English
(kənˈteɪdʒən)
noun
1.
the transmission of disease from one person to another by direct or indirect contact
2.
a contagious disease
3. another name for contagium
4.
a corrupting or harmful influence that tends to spread; pollutant
5.
the spreading of an emotional or mental state among a number of people
the contagion of mirth
Word origin
C14: from Latin contāgiō a touching, infection, from contingere; see contact
contagion in American English
(kənˈteɪdʒən)
noun
1.
the spreading of disease from one individual to another by direct or indirect contact
2.
any disease thus spread; contagious disease
3.
the causative agent of a communicable disease; bacteria or virus
4.
contagious quality
5.
a.
the spreading of an emotion, idea, custom, etc. from person to person until many are affected
the contagion of mirth
b.
the emotion, idea, etc. so spread
6.
a bad influence that tends to spread; corruption
Word origin
ME contagioun < L contagio, a touching < contingere: see contact
Examples of 'contagion' in a sentence
contagion
That transformation has significantly reduced the risks of financial contagion from a crisis in one sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There is also a risk of wider contagion of the debt crisis.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Central bankers are especially worried about the contagion effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It did little to stem the contagion.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The spread of contagion and exit to other countries would be another matter.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Teachers want to be able to spot the real culprit when the emotional contagion is negative.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So is the fear that financial contagion will spread.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The risk of contagion throughout the banking system had to be managed and has been.
The Sun (2008)
His first instinct was to explain the risks of moral hazard rather than to stem contagion.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The concern now is that the contagion will spread from the financial system to the real economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Both were meant to offer protection against financial contagion but both spread it dangerously.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It will show the handling problems that spread like a contagion through the team.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Because of the risk of financial contagion.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But it has gone too far when the contagion spreads to these shores.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is a risk of political contagion, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Since then, this defiance has spread like a contagion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Meanwhile, the contagion is spreading to beasts with no protected status.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What has in fact happened is something closer to financial contagion, as many of the original mortgage borrowers have defaulted.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Now academics are conducting research into the issue at two schools as part of a three-year experiment into social and emotional contagion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These financial instruments then, instead of containing risk, spread contagion across the world banking system.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
1 (noun)
Definition
a corrupting influence that tends to spread
They have been reluctant to admit patients with the disease because of fears of contagion.
Synonyms
contamination
Acid rain is responsible for the destruction of forests and the contamination of rivers and streams.
infection
Ear infections are common in pre-school children.
corruption
The corruption of the body is an unavoidable feature of old age.
pollution
environmental pollution
taint
2 (noun)
Definition
the passing on of disease by contact
He continues to isolate his country from the contagion of foreign ideas.
Synonyms
spread
The greatest hope for reform is the gradual spread of information.
spreading
communication
Treatment involves the communication of information.
passage
proliferation
the proliferation of nuclear weapons
diffusion
the development and diffusion of ideas
transference
dissemination
the dissemination of scientific ideas
dispersal
the dispersal of this negative attitude
transmittal
3 (noun)
Definition
a contagious disease
The contagion of tuberculosis was the plague of that era.
Synonyms
plague
the plague that floored ancient Athens
pestilence
areas where the pestilence had broken out
related words
related phobiamisophobia
Additional synonyms
in the sense of communication
Definition
the exchange of information, ideas, or feelings
Treatment involves the communication of information.
Synonyms
passing on,
spread,
circulation,
transmission,
disclosure,
imparting,
dissemination,
conveyance
in the sense of corruption
Definition
the process of rotting or decaying
The corruption of the body is an unavoidable feature of old age.
Synonyms
rotting,
infection,
pollution,
rot,
decay,
adulteration,
debasement,
foulness,
putrefaction,
rottenness,
defilement,
putrescence
in the sense of diffusion
Definition
the act of diffusing or the fact of being diffused