morbidity
noun
mor·bid·i·ty
mȯr-ˈbi-də-tē 
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
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
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
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
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
Phillip W. Kantoff Examples of morbidity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Deliveries before 23 weeks have a five to six percent survival rate and high morbidity among survivors.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
This squares with human research, which shows that low aerobic exercise capacity is a powerful predictor of premature morbidity and mortality for healthy adults.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for morbidity 
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Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
This squares with human research, which shows that low aerobic exercise capacity is a powerful predictor of premature morbidity and mortality for healthy adults.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for morbidity
Articles Related to morbidity
Dictionary Entries Near morbidity
Cite this Entry
“Morbidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morbidity. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morbidity
noun
mor·bid·i·ty
mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē
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
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
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
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
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
Phillip W. Kantoff, Scientific American Medicine Love words? Need even more definitions?
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