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

: insurrection, revolt

Synonyms

• burst
• flare
• flare-up
• flash
• flicker
• flurry
• flutter
• outburst
• spurt

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

Until the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Shklyarov regularly danced abroad, including with America Ballet Theatre. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024

Organic carrots and celery sold at Whole Foods Market in five states are being recalled amid a deadly E. coli outbreak that has stricken 39 people in 18 states. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024

Water levels at the Wanaque Reservoir are becoming dangerously low as the region experiences an outbreak of wildfires as the dry conditions persist on November 14, 2024 in Wanaque, New Jersey. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024

Like most of the country, Wisconsin is seeing a significant whooping cough outbreak this year. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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