: 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)
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. See More
Recent Examples on the WebBiden said at the time that 45 years of cancer research since President Nixon announced a similar effort in 1971 had created a vastly greater understanding of the disease. Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 The favorable vote came despite concerns from panel members about whether an additional analysis of a single phase 2 clinical trial, from drugmaker Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, showed clear evidence the drug slows the progression of the disease. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 Some of the pigs died of complications of the disease; others were euthanized. Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 If the drug becomes significantly cheaper than newer, better diabetes treatments, more people could die from the disease. Michael Rose, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2022 However, the spread of the disease can be limited by taking steps to avoid mosquito bites in the first place. Devi Shastri, Journal Sentinel, 3 Sep. 2022 Their son John died of the disease at the age of 15. Diane Moca, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 Mouse studies often mirror only a single aspect of the disease that may not be directly relevant to people. Agnès Lacreuse, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 In addition to the funds, Keep A Breast works to educate people about the racial disparities of the disease’s impact and improve breast health education and health care access with free tools like its KAB Check Yourself app. Melissa Noel, Essence, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English disese, from Anglo-French desease, desaise, from des- dis- + eise ease