1
a
b
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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
Wide receiver Jalen Coker (illness) stayed at the team hotel instead of attending the joint practice.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Most people infected with West Nile do not feel sick, the CDC says, though about 1 in 5 people develop a fever and other flu-like symptoms and 1 in about 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
According to Taylor, Trump's rhetoric about homeless people experiencing addiction dehumanizes Americans struggling with serious illness.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Officials warn the lake could vanish by the end of summer, unleashing toxic salt storms that trigger mass wildlife die-offs and worsen respiratory illness in nearby populations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
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Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Most people infected with West Nile do not feel sick, the CDC says, though about 1 in 5 people develop a fever and other flu-like symptoms and 1 in about 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
According to Taylor, Trump's rhetoric about homeless people experiencing addiction dehumanizes Americans struggling with serious illness.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
Officials warn the lake could vanish by the end of summer, unleashing toxic salt storms that trigger mass wildlife die-offs and worsen respiratory illness in nearby populations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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