sickness

noun

sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
a
: ill health : illness
b
: a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition
2
: a specific disease
3

Examples of sickness in a Sentence

He died from an unknown sickness. she was plagued by sickness most of her adult life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Washing sheets in hot water every time isn’t necessary for linens that are lightly soiled—think no sweaty nights or sickness. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025 What initially presented as a mild sickness soon worsened; he was diagnosed with pneumonia and appendicitis. Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025 And even though modern medicine has all the tools to cure it, over a million people around the world still die from the sickness annually. NPR, 21 Oct. 2025 For the severely malnourished, simply starting to eat normal meals again can cause sickness—even death. Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sickness

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickness was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickness. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sickness

noun
sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
: ill health : illness
2
: a specific disease : malady
3

Medical Definition

sickness

noun
sick·​ness ˈsik-nəs How to pronounce sickness (audio)
1
: the condition of being ill : ill health
2
: a specific disease
3
: nausea

More from Merriam-Webster on sickness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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