Contagion
kənˈteɪdʒən
Definitions
2 meaningsThe spread of a disease from one person or organism to another, typically through direct or indirect contact.
kənˈteɪdʒən
The communication of disease from one person or organism to another by close contact.
The doctor warned about the dangers of contagion during the flu season.
💡 Simply: Imagine a bad cold going around school. Contagion is like the 'spreading' part – how the cold travels from one kid to another when they share toys or are close together. Like when everyone starts sneezing!
👶 For kids: When something spreads a sickness, it's called contagion!
More Examples
The school implemented strict hygiene protocols to prevent the contagion from spreading.
The rapid contagion of the disease overwhelmed the healthcare system.
How It's Used
"The rapid contagion of the virus caused a public health crisis."
"Fear can spread through a crowd like contagion."
The rapid spread of an idea, emotion, or attitude from one person or group to another.
kənˈteɪdʒən
The communication of an idea, emotion, or attitude.
The contagion of excitement was palpable in the stadium.
💡 Simply: It's like when one person is really happy and it makes everyone else feel happy too. Or when one person is nervous and everyone around them starts to feel nervous. That spreading of feelings is contagion.
👶 For kids: When feelings or ideas spread from one person to others, it's like a 'feeling-spread' contagion!
More Examples
Her enthusiasm proved to be a positive contagion among her colleagues.
The media played a role in the contagion of panic during the crisis.
How It's Used
"The contagion of fear quickly spread through the panicked crowd."
"The contagious joy of the performers uplifted the audience."
Idioms & expressions
contagious laughter
The tendency for one person to laugh when they hear or see someone else laughing.
"Her contagious laughter filled the room."
contagious yawning
The tendency for one person to yawn when they see or hear someone else yawning.
"The video of someone yawning triggered contagious yawning among the viewers."
From Latin *contāgiō* ('a touching, contact, infection'), from *contāgō* ('I touch together'), from *con-* ('with, together') + *tangere* ('to touch').
The word 'contagion' has been used for centuries, initially referring specifically to the transmission of disease and later extending to the spread of ideas and emotions, especially during the Enlightenment.
Memory tip
Think of a contagious disease spreading, like a contagious thing spreads.
Word Origin
"a touching, contact, infection"