INTERMEDIATE HOST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does intermediate host mean? 

• INTERMEDIATE HOST (noun)
  The noun INTERMEDIATE HOST has 1 sense:

1. a host that is used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle

  Familiarity information: INTERMEDIATE HOST used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INTERMEDIATE HOST (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A host that is used by a parasite in the course of its life cycle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("intermediate host" is a kind of...):

host (an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association)

 Context examples 

Life cycles of these viruses are characterized by ZOONOSES, with birds and lower mammals serving as intermediate hosts.

(Epidemic Encephalitis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)