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
That same outbreak strain was discovered in a FreshRealm facility during routine testing of its chicken fettuccine alfredo.
—
Vanessa Romo, NPR, 19 June 2025
However, 2025 is shaping up to be the largest outbreak in 25 years.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Its cattle fever tick program, started in 1906, curbed cattle fever outbreaks by limiting where and when cattle should cross tick-dense areas.
—Sean Lawrence, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
As in past outbreaks of anti-government sentiment, Iranian security forces cracked down on the demonstrations.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Vanessa Romo, NPR, 19 June 2025
However, 2025 is shaping up to be the largest outbreak in 25 years.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Its cattle fever tick program, started in 1906, curbed cattle fever outbreaks by limiting where and when cattle should cross tick-dense areas.
—Sean Lawrence, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
As in past outbreaks of anti-government sentiment, Iranian security forces cracked down on the demonstrations.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 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 2 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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