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
Fractures in older adults are a significant source of morbidity and mortality, as these injuries can lead to other complications including pneumonia, blood clots and skin ulcers from needing to be hospitalized and at bed rest after an injury.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The acquisition made by one avid collector attending an estate sale in the Hudson Valley earlier this month falls into the third category, with a dash of morbidity thrown in for good measure.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Socioeconomic status is inversely correlated with morbidity and mortality.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Generally, there’s an increase in morbidity for those who sleep less than five or more than nine hours a day.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for morbidity 
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Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The acquisition made by one avid collector attending an estate sale in the Hudson Valley earlier this month falls into the third category, with a dash of morbidity thrown in for good measure.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Socioeconomic status is inversely correlated with morbidity and mortality.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Generally, there’s an increase in morbidity for those who sleep less than five or more than nine hours a day.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 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 27 Dec. 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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