outbreak

noun

out·​break ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk How to pronounce outbreak (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nearly 500 outbreaks were reported between August and mid-December, according to CDC data, a third more than at the same time in the previous season. Jen Christensen, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 The White House office has also worked closely with other countries on the global response to outbreaks of the deadly Marburg virus, mpox, and Lassa Fever. Brian Bennett, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday urged labs nationwide to determine within 24 hours of admission whether people hospitalized with the flu have seasonal influenza or are infected with the bird flu that's behind an escalating outbreak in dairy cows and poultry. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025 At the San Carlos Apache Reservation, there has been a decades-long outbreak. Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for outbreak 

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of outbreak was in 1562

Dictionary Entries Near outbreak

Cite this Entry

“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

outbreak

noun
out·​break ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk How to pronounce outbreak (audio)
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 How to pronounce outbreak (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on outbreak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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