sepsis

noun

sep·​sis ˈsep-səs 

plural sepses ˈsep-ˌsēz 

: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock

Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.

compare septicemia

Examples of sepsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, which just posted an early closing notice in part because star Billy Porter is out with sepsis, was at just 68% of capacity, grossing its lowest-ever weekly take (by a lot) of $380,052. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025

Then tonsillitis spiraled into sepsis. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025

The actor will discontinue the role of the Emcee in the Broadway production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club following a diagnosis with sepsis. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is cutting its Broadway run short after star Billy Porter pulled out of the show to recover from sepsis. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sēpsis decay, from sēpein to putrefy

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sepsis

• antisepsis
• asepsis

Medical Definition

sepsis

noun

sep·​sis ˈsep-səs 

plural sepses ˈsep-ˌsēz 

: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, and that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock

Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.

compare multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septicemia