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
Synonyms
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
For one in every three Fort Worth area campuses, measles vaccination rates have dipped so low that there would almost certainly be an outbreak of the disease if a child came to school while infected, according to the Star-Telegram’s analysis.
—
Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2025
The response aims to contain the virus and prevent another large-scale outbreak.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
In addition to publishing studies, the MMWR keeps the country updated on outbreaks, poisonings, and maternal mortality, and provides surveillance data on cancer, heart disease, HIV, and other maladies.
—Amy Maxmen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
Just last week, roughly 100,000 ducks were forced to be killed after an avian flu outbreak was detected at Long Island’s Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for outbreak 
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Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2025
The response aims to contain the virus and prevent another large-scale outbreak.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
In addition to publishing studies, the MMWR keeps the country updated on outbreaks, poisonings, and maternal mortality, and provides surveillance data on cancer, heart disease, HIV, and other maladies.
—Amy Maxmen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
Just last week, roughly 100,000 ducks were forced to be killed after an avian flu outbreak was detected at Long Island’s Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for outbreak
Dictionary Entries Near outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 2 Feb. 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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