sickness

noun

sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs 

1

a

: ill health : illness

b

: a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition

2

: a specific disease

3

: nausea, queasiness

Synonyms

• illness
• indisposition
• unhealthiness
• unsoundness

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

Almost a third of claims are attributed to long-term sickness, including pre-existing health conditions, such as obesity, which has been exacerbated by Covid. —Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024

Or keep bags in the glove box for any riders who experience car sickness. —Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2024

The Sky swooned following the break for the summer Olympics, in large part due to sickness and injuries. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Sep. 2024

Significant impairments, unequal coverage Roughly half of working Americans are covered under disability insurance, which provides short- and long-term income protections in the event of a sickness or injury. —Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing sickness

• acute mountain sickness
• African sleeping sickness
• altitude sickness
• decompression sickness
• milk sickness
• morning sickness
• motion sickness
• mountain sickness
• radiation sickness
• serum sickness
• sickness benefit
• sleeping sickness
• travel sickness

Kids Definition

sickness

noun

sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs 

1

: ill health : illness

2

: a specific disease : malady

3

: nausea sense 1

Medical Definition

sickness

noun

sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs 

1

: the condition of being ill : ill health

2

: a specific disease

3

: nausea