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
The two Jefferson County cases are not related to a measles outbreak currently affecting Fayette and Woodford counties, Bryant said.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 July 2025
In addition, severe weather outbreaks can disrupt critical infrastructure and cause widespread damage during the heart of summer.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Measles outbreaks — once unheard of in a country with near-universal immunization — are making a deadly comeback, with the highest number of deaths in 25 years.
—Dr. Robert Edelman, Mercury News, 27 July 2025
At least 118 tornado touchdowns were unleashed during a March 13-16 outbreak across 15 states, mostly in the Midwest and parts of the South and East, killing at least 43 people.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 July 2025
In addition, severe weather outbreaks can disrupt critical infrastructure and cause widespread damage during the heart of summer.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 July 2025
Measles outbreaks — once unheard of in a country with near-universal immunization — are making a deadly comeback, with the highest number of deaths in 25 years.
—Dr. Robert Edelman, Mercury News, 27 July 2025
At least 118 tornado touchdowns were unleashed during a March 13-16 outbreak across 15 states, mostly in the Midwest and parts of the South and East, killing at least 43 people.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 22 July 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 2 Aug. 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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