1
a
b
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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 on the Web
Pet owners should watch for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian with concerns, according to Douglas County health officials.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
Modern medicine’s first attempt to cure psychiatric illness through surgery may be traced back to the late 19th century, when Gottlieb Burckhardt, a Swiss psychiatrist, removed tissue from the cerebral cortex in a half-dozen patients.
—Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
And that’s a powerful thing in the face of chronic illness.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
The movie stars Rose Byrne as a mother struggling to cope with her child’s illness; in his dramatic debut, O’Brien plays her hostile therapist.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
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Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
Modern medicine’s first attempt to cure psychiatric illness through surgery may be traced back to the late 19th century, when Gottlieb Burckhardt, a Swiss psychiatrist, removed tissue from the cerebral cortex in a half-dozen patients.
—Frieda Klotz, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025
And that’s a powerful thing in the face of chronic illness.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
The movie stars Rose Byrne as a mother struggling to cope with her child’s illness; in his dramatic debut, O’Brien plays her hostile therapist.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for illness
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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