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

Vaccines play a role in nearly every measurement of health equity, from improving access to care, to reducing disability and long-term morbidity, to preventing loss of labor and the death of caretakers. —Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

His military discipline and medical expertise have served as a foundation for a holistic approach to health that can reduce morbidity and mortality, applying lifestyle changes and advanced medical evaluations. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

Black and Indigenous women disproportionately experience higher rates of complications, such as preeclampsia and hemorrhage, which contributes to their higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024

Plus, poor access to veterinary services led to high mortality and morbidity rates among goats. —Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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