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
Measles cases in the U.S. have surpassed 900 as outbreaks continue to spread across the county, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data published Friday.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 May 2025
Cases in Oklahoma and other states have also been linked to the outbreak.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 2 May 2025
The department, along with the CDC, is working to investigate the outbreak and up vaccinations.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
The horses did not die at the same time from some sort of major event, like a disease outbreak or a battle.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 May 2025
Cases in Oklahoma and other states have also been linked to the outbreak.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 2 May 2025
The department, along with the CDC, is working to investigate the outbreak and up vaccinations.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
The horses did not die at the same time from some sort of major event, like a disease outbreak or a battle.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 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 9 May. 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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