illness

ill·ness | \ ˈil-nəs

How to pronounce illness (audio)

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Definition of illness

1a : sickness sense 2

b : an unhealthy condition of body or mind

2 obsolete

b : unpleasantness

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about illness

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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 The illness usually causes mild or moderate symptoms; many cases are asymptomatic. — Star Tribune, "1,715 new COVID-19 cases, 17 more deaths in Minnesota," 18 Oct. 2020 While researchers' understanding of the long-term impacts of the coronavirus have developed since January, other viruses suggest a prolonged illness is not unusual. — Emily Woodruff, NOLA.com, "The 'long-haulers': Why 'presumed recovered' doesn't mean you're done with the coronavirus," 17 Oct. 2020 An illness that might have been no big deal in your 30s can be a really big deal in your 70s. — Courtney Schmidt, Health.com, "4 Vaccines You Should Consider if You (or a Loved One) Are Over 65," 14 Oct. 2020 At issue is whether the illness was a fluke, or if it may have been related to the vaccine. — Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, "It took AstraZeneca researchers 1 month to get vaccine trial data to FDA, source tells CNN," 14 Oct. 2020 But for at least three people, including one patient in Ecuador, the illness was more severe the second time around than during the first infection. — Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, "Coronavirus Reinfections Are Real but Very, Very Rare," 13 Oct. 2020 White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said that the administration did not blame the families at the event for the president’s illness. — David Hogberg, Washington Examiner, "Trump faces heat for drawing Gold Star families into COVID-19 drama," 8 Oct. 2020 Mental illness is a medical condition, and anxiety and mood disorders are the most common mental illnesses. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Erase the stigma of mental health issues," 8 Oct. 2020 The president’s illness has supercharged the importance of what is typically the cycle’s least pivotal debate. — David Weigel, Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: What to expect in the Pence-Harris debate based on their past performances," 7 Oct. 2020

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.

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Dictionary Entries near illness

illness anxiety disorder

Statistics for illness

Last Updated

21 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 23 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for illness

illness

noun

English Language Learners Definition of illness

: 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

See the full definition for illness in the English Language Learners Dictionary

illness

ill·ness | \ ˈil-nəs

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Kids Definition of illness

1 : an unhealthy condition of the body or mind Germs can cause illness.

2 : a specific sickness or disease Colds are a common illness.

illness

ill·ness | \ ˈil-nəs

\

Medical Definition of illness

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind : sickness

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