illness

noun ill·ness \ ˈil-nəs \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of illness

1 obsolete

a : wickedness

b : unpleasantness

2 a : an unhealthy condition of body or mind

b : sickness 2

See illness defined for English-language learners

See illness defined for kids

Examples of illness in a Sentence

Her body was not able to defend itself against illness.
Hundreds of soldiers died from illness and hunger.
He showed no signs of illness.
Scientists have not yet found a cure for this illness.
cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses
She died at the age of 60 after a brief illness.

Recent Examples of illness from the Web

The board suggested making the medicine available to patients suffering from terminal illness, neurodegenerative diseases, and spinal-cord damage.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Pa. marijuana board OKs sale of cannabis leaf and flower," 9 Apr. 2018
Anita Rose Lazarus of Coconut Creek died April 6th from a sudden unexpected illness.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 4/9," 9 Apr. 2018
Clients can receive meals on a short-term basis, such as when recovering from illness or surgery, or indefinitely.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Meals on Wheels volunteers help feed shut-ins' bodies and souls," 5 Apr. 2018
Among Rafael and Maria’s seven children, only five would live to adulthood (an infant boy and adolescent girl died prematurely from illness).

— maureen o'connor, The Cut, "‘Neither Family Will Be the Same’," 4 Apr. 2018
Kelly hurriedly phoned the secretary of state, suffering from an illness in Kenya, to warn him that the President was ready to announce his ouster.

— pamela brown, CNN, "Trump embraces his impulses in ever-chaotic Oval Office," 3 Apr. 2018
When 11-year-old Isabella Pieri's mother passed away two years ago from a rare illness, her father stepped in to do the job, and though his efforts were valiant, the results were apparently not quite up to par.

— rosemary donahue, Allure, "School Bus Driver Steps In to Braid Hair of Little Girl Whose Mother Passed Away," 1 Apr. 2018
Researchers with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance are looking to determine why more young people are suffering from the illness.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Goes to Doctor With 'Food Poisoning' and Learns She Has Colon Cancer: 'I Was Distraught'," 30 Mar. 2018
Rina Kawaei, a former AKB48 member turned actress, gives a subdued, convincing performance as Natsuki, a teenager who mourns the death of her best friend, Niki, who passes away from a terminal illness shortly before their high school graduation.

— billboard japan, Billboard, "Watch Japanese Singer Ayaka's 'Sakura' Short Film Starring Rina Kawaei," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illness.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of illness

circa 1500

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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illness Synonyms

ILLNESS Defined for English Language Learners

illness

noun

Definition of illness for English Language Learners

: a condition of being unhealthy in your body or mind
: a specific condition that prevents your body or mind from working normally : a sickness or disease