outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk 
1
a
: a sudden or violent increase in activity or currency
the outbreak of war
b
: a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
an outbreak of measles
c
: a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area
an outbreak of locusts
2
Examples of outbreak in a Sentence
there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room
the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency
Recent Examples on the Web
Recent outbreaks in unvaccinated communities show that risk returns when vaccination rates fall.
Conclusion?
—
Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Salmonella infections cause significant illness and death annually, with cucumbers linked to a current outbreak.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 July 2025
As state immunization rates have declined, unvaccinated Kentuckians are at higher risk to contract measles, health officials are warning amid outbreaks nationwide.
—Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
On Friday, the Weather Channel named the outbreak of severe weather Winter Storm Blair.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Salmonella infections cause significant illness and death annually, with cucumbers linked to a current outbreak.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 3 July 2025
As state immunization rates have declined, unvaccinated Kentuckians are at higher risk to contract measles, health officials are warning amid outbreaks nationwide.
—Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
On Friday, the Weather Channel named the outbreak of severe weather Winter Storm Blair.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk
1
: a sudden increase in activity, use, or acceptance
the outbreak of war
2
: something (as an epidemic or revolution) that breaks out
an outbreak of measles
Medical Definition
outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk
1
: a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
an outbreak of measles
2
: a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area
an outbreak of locusts
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