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
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
Wholesale turkey prices are soaring this year, as bird flu outbreaks and resulting supply shortages threaten to raise the price of Americans’ Thanksgiving meals.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Pastor Timothy Miller said that while Sarasota’s Mennonites are less culturally isolated than the Mennonite community in West Texas, site of a measles outbreak in January, many in his community also shun vaccination.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The same report, however, cited a study published by the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease that shows Argentina hasn’t had a foot-and-mouth outbreak since 2006.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
The Blue Jays dispatched the Yankees in four games behind an incredible offensive outbreak in the ALDS, scoring 34 runs.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Pastor Timothy Miller said that while Sarasota’s Mennonites are less culturally isolated than the Mennonite community in West Texas, site of a measles outbreak in January, many in his community also shun vaccination.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The same report, however, cited a study published by the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease that shows Argentina hasn’t had a foot-and-mouth outbreak since 2006.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
The Blue Jays dispatched the Yankees in four games behind an incredible offensive outbreak in the ALDS, scoring 34 runs.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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