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
Brazil’s Unified Health System vaccinated more than 80 million people during the H1N1 outbreak in 2009 and ‘10, including indigenous peoples.
—
Adriana Brasileiro, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The outbreak has since been linked to multiple other prepared pasta products.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Throughout the controversy, Canadian officials have cited the need to prevent an outbreak that might damage the country’s nearly $7 billion poultry industry.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The scrutiny is especially troubling to many public health authorities, coming amid new outbreaks of diseases like measles and whooping cough.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Adriana Brasileiro, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The outbreak has since been linked to multiple other prepared pasta products.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Throughout the controversy, Canadian officials have cited the need to prevent an outbreak that might damage the country’s nearly $7 billion poultry industry.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The scrutiny is especially troubling to many public health authorities, coming amid new outbreaks of diseases like measles and whooping cough.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 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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