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
Another Californian was exposed to hantavirus An expedition cruise ship capable of exploring remote Antarctic regions became the epicenter of the first deadly hantavirus outbreak at sea, killing three passengers of the MV Hondius.
—
Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Cruise ship sickness Around 1,700 passengers are being held on a cruise ship after reports of an illness, but it’s not linked to the hantavirus outbreak, French authorities said.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The current outbreak stemming from the cruise ship did not help the cause, Siegel went on — but this spread doesn’t suggest that the virus has changed.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
The outbreak originated from a cruise ship carrying 122 guests and crew through the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
—Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Cruise ship sickness Around 1,700 passengers are being held on a cruise ship after reports of an illness, but it’s not linked to the hantavirus outbreak, French authorities said.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
The current outbreak stemming from the cruise ship did not help the cause, Siegel went on — but this spread doesn’t suggest that the virus has changed.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
The outbreak originated from a cruise ship carrying 122 guests and crew through the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
—Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 May 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 20 May. 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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