outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk 
1
a
: a sudden or violent increase in activity or currency
the outbreak of war
b
: a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
an outbreak of measles
c
: a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area
an outbreak of locusts
2
Synonyms
Examples of outbreak in a Sentence
there was an immediate outbreak of paper shuffling and a pretense of work when the supervisor passed through the room
the government quelled the outbreak with ruthless efficiency
Recent Examples on the Web
Two outbreaks in 2019 in undervaccinated communities in New York and New York City caused a large spike in cases, threatening measles’ elimination status in the U.S.
—
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2024
Why a measles outbreak is dangerous Measles' symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, white spots inside the mouth, and rashes that spread across the body.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
The coronavirus outbreak in early 2020 unleashed brutal economic blows against the hotel and lodging sector in the Bay Area and worldwide.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000, meaning no outbreaks have persisted for a year or more.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Measles has been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, meaning the disease is no longer constantly present, though there are still occasional outbreaks.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Measles 2024:Chicago moves to vaccinate people amid migrant shelter measles outbreak
At the start of the year, the CDC warned clinicians about signs of the virus amid the global uptick.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Federal and state health authorities are investigating the outbreaks, and the USDA said the risk to the general public contracting is low as the viruses have only rarely been transmitted from person to person.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024
There's no reason to panic: Federal and state health authorities are investigating the outbreaks, and the USDA said the risk to the general public is low as the viruses have only rarely been transmitted from person to person.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2024
Why a measles outbreak is dangerous Measles' symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, white spots inside the mouth, and rashes that spread across the body.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
The coronavirus outbreak in early 2020 unleashed brutal economic blows against the hotel and lodging sector in the Bay Area and worldwide.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000, meaning no outbreaks have persisted for a year or more.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Measles has been considered eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, meaning the disease is no longer constantly present, though there are still occasional outbreaks.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
Measles 2024:Chicago moves to vaccinate people amid migrant shelter measles outbreak
At the start of the year, the CDC warned clinicians about signs of the virus amid the global uptick.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Federal and state health authorities are investigating the outbreaks, and the USDA said the risk to the general public contracting is low as the viruses have only rarely been transmitted from person to person.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024
There's no reason to panic: Federal and state health authorities are investigating the outbreaks, and the USDA said the risk to the general public is low as the viruses have only rarely been transmitted from person to person.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outbreak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk
1
: a sudden increase in activity use, or acceptance
the outbreak of war
2
: something (as an epidemic or revolution) that breaks out
an outbreak of measles
Medical Definition
outbreak
noun
out·break
ˈau̇t-ˌbrāk
1
: a sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
an outbreak of measles
2
: a sudden increase in numbers of a harmful organism and especially an insect within a particular area
an outbreak of locusts
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