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
Mahler died in 1911 from illnesses exacerbated by a heart condition, at just 50.
—
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
With Howe kept in hospital over the weekend with an unspecified illness, Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones, his assistant head coaches, led the team.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Vaccines are among the most successful tools in public health’s arsenal, preventing debilitating illnesses and lowering the need for expensive medical care.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Vaccines are among the most successful tools in the public health arsenal, preventing debilitating illnesses and lowering the need for expensive medical care.
—Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
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Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
With Howe kept in hospital over the weekend with an unspecified illness, Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones, his assistant head coaches, led the team.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Vaccines are among the most successful tools in public health’s arsenal, preventing debilitating illnesses and lowering the need for expensive medical care.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Vaccines are among the most successful tools in the public health arsenal, preventing debilitating illnesses and lowering the need for expensive medical care.
—Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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