1
a
: ill health : illness
b
: a disordered, weakened, or unsound condition
2
: a specific disease
3
: nausea, queasiness
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
Jimmy was a young Scottish boy when the sickness ran amok first.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Dominique Randle-El, who chaired the meeting, defended Clark from criticism, saying for all the audience knew the mayor could be dealing with sickness or a loss in his family.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026
The leading causes of harm to the whales are linked to human interference; entanglements in fishing gear and boat and ship collisions have resulted in significant increases in sickness, injury, and death.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sickness
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Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Dominique Randle-El, who chaired the meeting, defended Clark from criticism, saying for all the audience knew the mayor could be dealing with sickness or a loss in his family.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026
The leading causes of harm to the whales are linked to human interference; entanglements in fishing gear and boat and ship collisions have resulted in significant increases in sickness, injury, and death.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sickness
Cite this Entry
“Sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickness. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sickness
noun
sick·ness
ˈsik-nəs 
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