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

Several hours of sepsis, which is a life-threatening bodily response to an infection, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and days of cystitis, or a bladder infection, were mentioned as contributing causes. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 30 June 2025

In animals and humans, VNS has been shown to reduce harmful inflammation in both chronic diseases such as arthritis and acute conditions such as sepsis. —Sangeeta S. Chavan, IEEE Spectrum, 9 June 2025

The infection ultimately worsened, and Eliana developed sepsis, causing some of her organs to shut down. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 6 June 2025

As the infection grew, Eliana developed sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection, causing some of her organs to shut down. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 June 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