sickness

noun

sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
a
: ill health : illness
b
: a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition
2
: a specific disease
3

Examples of sickness in a Sentence

He died from an unknown sickness. she was plagued by sickness most of her adult life
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.
How does sickness affect the formation and maintenance of their social relationships? Sebastian Stockmaier, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024 And her daughter, my mother, who was also a terribly strong woman, who had sickness. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024 Experts say similar signs were scribed into churches and homes, as well as other caves, and were used to ward off sickness, death or poor harvests. Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024 There is rampant spiritual sickness pervading the West, and what is called luxury, in every area of life, seems to soothe its symptoms. Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sickness 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickness was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sickness

Cite this Entry

“Sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickness. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sickness

noun
sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
: ill health : illness
2
: a specific disease : malady
3

Medical Definition

sickness

noun
sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
: the condition of being ill : ill health
2
: a specific disease
3
: nausea

More from Merriam-Webster on sickness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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