1
a
b
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
Examples of illness in a Sentence
Her body was not able to defend itself against illness.
Hundreds of soldiers died from illness and hunger.
He showed no signs of illness.
Scientists have not yet found a cure for this illness.
cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses
She died at the age of 60 after a brief illness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wear masks: All of these respiratory illnesses can be spread through airborne viruses or bacteria particles.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
It is increasingly recognised that many neurodivergent people are experiencing greater levels of chronic illness, which may have been exacerbated by / precipitated by the Covid-19 outbreak.
—Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Absence of treatment is not absence of illness, of course, but given how much time Gauguin spent in hospitals, that such a familiar disease would have been missed seems unlikely.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Gram-negative bacteria can cause skin infections, pneumonia, or other serious illnesses, although this most often happens from exposure in hospitals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
It is increasingly recognised that many neurodivergent people are experiencing greater levels of chronic illness, which may have been exacerbated by / precipitated by the Covid-19 outbreak.
—Nancy Doyle, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Absence of treatment is not absence of illness, of course, but given how much time Gauguin spent in hospitals, that such a familiar disease would have been missed seems unlikely.
—Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Gram-negative bacteria can cause skin infections, pneumonia, or other serious illnesses, although this most often happens from exposure in hospitals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share