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
Gaines County is the epicenter of the outbreak, with 137 cases confirmed among residents, according to DSHS.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Being explicit and deliberate in communicating timely health advice is critical, particularly during a deadly disease outbreak.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The death comes eight days after an unvaccinated child in Texas died from the disease during a growing outbreak in the state that has infected nearly 160 people.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
The outbreak has led to at least 159 cases, mostly in unvaccinated children, and one death.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Being explicit and deliberate in communicating timely health advice is critical, particularly during a deadly disease outbreak.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The death comes eight days after an unvaccinated child in Texas died from the disease during a growing outbreak in the state that has infected nearly 160 people.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
The outbreak has led to at least 159 cases, mostly in unvaccinated children, and one death.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 6 Mar. 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 10 Mar. 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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