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
By mid-February, models signaled a shift to near or below-average temperatures, increasing the chance of more freezes without clear signs of another deep arctic outbreak.
—
Jj Velasquez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Feb. 2026
And yet, there haven’t been any reports of reefer madness outbreaks that the editorial seems to portend will result from beverages infused with a relatively small amount of THC being sold as an option at the United Center itself.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
The Palmetto State far surpassed Texas’ outbreak, which sickened 762 people and killed two young girls.
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
In addition to the three active cases, public health officials have identified at least 30 latent TB infections — cases in which people carry the bacteria but are not contagious — though experts stress the situation does not signal a broader outbreak.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Jj Velasquez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Feb. 2026
And yet, there haven’t been any reports of reefer madness outbreaks that the editorial seems to portend will result from beverages infused with a relatively small amount of THC being sold as an option at the United Center itself.
—Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
The Palmetto State far surpassed Texas’ outbreak, which sickened 762 people and killed two young girls.
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 31 Jan. 2026
In addition to the three active cases, public health officials have identified at least 30 latent TB infections — cases in which people carry the bacteria but are not contagious — though experts stress the situation does not signal a broader outbreak.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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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