morbidity

noun

mor·​bid·​i·​ty mȯr-ˈbi-də-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being morbid

especially : an attitude, quality, or state of mind marked by excessive gloom

… there must have been some strange morbidity in his nature which made him take a grim pleasure in self-torture.

—Somerset Maugham

2

: a diseased state or symptom : ill health

Parasitic protozoans and helminths represent two major groups of infectious agents that are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.

—Adel A. F. Mahmoud

also : a complication or undesirable side effect following surgery or medical treatment

Because laryngectomy results in substantial functional morbidity, including the loss of the natural voice … alternative forms of treatment have been developed.

—The New England Journal of Medicine

3

: the incidence of disease : the rate of illness (as in a specified population or group)

Because the young lack immune capability, the morbidity of viral upper respiratory diseases often reaches 100 percent of kittens in a litter or household.

—Margaret Reister

also : the incidence of complications or undesirable side effects following surgery or medical treatment

… radical prostatectomy in this setting … is associated with a very high morbidity.

—Phillip W. Kantoff

Examples of morbidity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smoking is still, in 2025, the leading cause of preventable mortality and morbidity in America. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

Though most describe the psychological impact of birth trauma, maternal morbidity encompasses cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, infections, especially from C-sections, diabetes, blood clots, and more. —Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

Postpartum anxiety and depression are leading morbidities for postpartum women in the United States, and unfortunately are contributing to maternal mortality. —Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025

The gag order, for example, even extends to CDC’s renowned morbidity and mortality weekly report or MMWR. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for morbidity

• acidity
• aridity
• avidity
• cupidity
• fluidity
• humidity
• liquidity
• lucidity
• placidity
• rancidity
• rapidity
• rigidity

Kids Definition

morbidity

noun

mor·​bid·​i·​ty mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē 

plural morbidities

1

: the quality or state of being morbid

2

: the rate at which a disease occurs in a group of individuals

Medical Definition

morbidity

noun

mor·​bid·​i·​ty mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē 

plural morbidities

1

: a diseased state or symptom : ill health

Parasitic protozoans and helminths represent two major groups of infectious agents that are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.

—Adel A. F. Mahmoud, Nature

also : a complication or undesirable side effect following surgery or medical treatment

Because laryngectomy results in substantial functional morbidity, including the loss of the natural voice … alternative forms of treatment have been developed.

—The New England Journal of Medicine

2

: the incidence of disease : the rate of illness (as in a specified population or group)

Because the young lack immune capability, the morbidity of viral upper respiratory diseases often reaches 100 percent of kittens in a litter or household.

—Margaret Reister, Cat Fancy

also : the incidence of complications or undesirable side effects following surgery or medical treatment

… radical prostatectomy in this setting … is associated with a very high morbidity.

—Phillip W. Kantoff, Scientific American Medicine

compare mortality sense 2