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
Although most bacterial strains are harmless, some strains can make people sick and cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness or pneumonia, according to the CDC.
—
Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Because of these shifts, pregnant people can get sicker than others from a variety of illnesses and infections, including the flu.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Most of the illnesses were concentrated in two states: Colorado and Nebraska.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024
There are no signs of E. coli illnesses linked to those restaurants.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for illness 
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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about these examples.
Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Because of these shifts, pregnant people can get sicker than others from a variety of illnesses and infections, including the flu.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Most of the illnesses were concentrated in two states: Colorado and Nebraska.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024
There are no signs of E. coli illnesses linked to those restaurants.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 24 Oct. 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 13 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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