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
The answer is critical, especially amid winter respiratory illness season, as the flu, COVID-19 and common colds circulate.
—
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
At least 50 people have died from a mystery illness discovered in three children who ate a dead bat, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
—Jordan King, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
The church has encouraged worshippers across Rome and around the world to pray for his health, including at nightly vigils held close to St. Peter's — a custom the Catholic Church has long practiced during previous papal illnesses.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
The county health department notified the public Wednesday about the case, which is still under investigation and involved a domestic shorthair breed who ate food containing raw chicken before succumbing to sudden illness mid-January.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
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Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
At least 50 people have died from a mystery illness discovered in three children who ate a dead bat, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
—Jordan King, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
The church has encouraged worshippers across Rome and around the world to pray for his health, including at nightly vigils held close to St. Peter's — a custom the Catholic Church has long practiced during previous papal illnesses.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
The county health department notified the public Wednesday about the case, which is still under investigation and involved a domestic shorthair breed who ate food containing raw chicken before succumbing to sudden illness mid-January.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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