outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk 
1
a
: a sudden or violent increase in activity or currency
the outbreak of war
b
: a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
an outbreak of measles
c
: a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area
an outbreak of locusts
2
Examples of outbreak in a Sentence
there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room
the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency
Recent Examples on the Web
The country could be at risk of losing its elimination status if an outbreak continued for more than one year.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
Bird flu outbreaks were cited as the major cause of price spikes in January and February after more than 30 million egg-laying chickens were killed to prevent the spread of the disease.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Tags measles outbreak Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
With immunization rates above 95%, however, outbreaks are less likely to happen.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
Bird flu outbreaks were cited as the major cause of price spikes in January and February after more than 30 million egg-laying chickens were killed to prevent the spread of the disease.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Tags measles outbreak Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
With immunization rates above 95%, however, outbreaks are less likely to happen.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk
1
: a sudden increase in activity, use, or acceptance
the outbreak of war
2
: something (as an epidemic or revolution) that breaks out
an outbreak of measles
Medical Definition
outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk
1
: a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
an outbreak of measles
2
: a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area
an outbreak of locusts
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