morbidity

noun

mor·​bid·​i·​ty mȯr-ˈbi-də-tē How to pronounce morbidity (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being morbid
especially : an attitude, quality, or state of mind marked by excessive gloom
… there must have been some strange morbidity in his nature which made him take a grim pleasure in self-torture. Somerset Maugham
2
: a diseased state or symptom : ill health
Parasitic protozoans and helminths represent two major groups of infectious agents that are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.Adel A. F. Mahmoud
also : a complication or undesirable side effect following surgery or medical treatment
Because laryngectomy results in substantial functional morbidity, including the loss of the natural voice … alternative forms of treatment have been developed. The New England Journal of Medicine
3
: the incidence of disease : the rate of illness (as in a specified population or group)
Because the young lack immune capability, the morbidity of viral upper respiratory diseases often reaches 100 percent of kittens in a litter or household.Margaret Reister
also : the incidence of complications or undesirable side effects following surgery or medical treatment
… radical prostatectomy in this setting … is associated with a very high morbidity. Phillip W. Kantoff

Examples of morbidity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Vaccines play a role in nearly every measurement of health equity, from improving access to care, to reducing disability and long-term morbidity, to preventing loss of labor and the death of caretakers. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 His military discipline and medical expertise have served as a foundation for a holistic approach to health that can reduce morbidity and mortality, applying lifestyle changes and advanced medical evaluations. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024 Black and Indigenous women disproportionately experience higher rates of complications, such as preeclampsia and hemorrhage, which contributes to their higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024 Plus, poor access to veterinary services led to high mortality and morbidity rates among goats. Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for morbidity 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'morbidity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of morbidity was circa 1721

Dictionary Entries Near morbidity

Cite this Entry

“Morbidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morbidity. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

morbidity

noun
mor·​bid·​i·​ty mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē How to pronounce morbidity (audio)
plural morbidities
1
: the quality or state of being morbid
2
: the rate at which a disease occurs in a group of individuals

Medical Definition

morbidity

noun
mor·​bid·​i·​ty mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē How to pronounce morbidity (audio)
plural morbidities
1
: a diseased state or symptom : ill health
Parasitic protozoans and helminths represent two major groups of infectious agents that are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.Adel A. F. Mahmoud, Nature
also : a complication or undesirable side effect following surgery or medical treatment
Because laryngectomy results in substantial functional morbidity, including the loss of the natural voice … alternative forms of treatment have been developed. The New England Journal of Medicine
2
: the incidence of disease : the rate of illness (as in a specified population or group)
Because the young lack immune capability, the morbidity of viral upper respiratory diseases often reaches 100 percent of kittens in a litter or household.Margaret Reister, Cat Fancy
also : the incidence of complications or undesirable side effects following surgery or medical treatment
… radical prostatectomy in this setting … is associated with a very high morbidity. Phillip W. Kantoff, Scientific American Medicine
compare mortality sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on morbidity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!