1
a
b
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
Synonyms
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 13-category scale is based on the percentage of doctor's visits that were for influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in the previous week.
—
Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Smith’s mother grew up in gloomy circumstances, depressed by death and illness.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
Allergy Risk No illnesses have been reported in connection with the product at this time.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
At the Forbes Healthcare Summit, Walgreens chief pharmacy officer Rick Gates, said pharmacists have already been testing for an array of illnesses including Covid-19 and then prescribing medications.
—Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illness 
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Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Smith’s mother grew up in gloomy circumstances, depressed by death and illness.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
Allergy Risk No illnesses have been reported in connection with the product at this time.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
At the Forbes Healthcare Summit, Walgreens chief pharmacy officer Rick Gates, said pharmacists have already been testing for an array of illnesses including Covid-19 and then prescribing medications.
—Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illness
Dictionary Entries Near illness
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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