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
Most food regulation changes occur in light of issues such as outbreaks.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
As of May 15, a total of 1,024 cases were reported across 31 states amid the deadliest outbreak in years.
—Sophia Vento, The Hill, 17 May 2025
Notably, one third of those storms have occurred during just three outbreak days in March and April, Thompson says.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 16 May 2025
Majority of cases involve white patients The KDHE has updated its dashboard, which shows overall numbers of cases as well as those related to the outbreak in southwest Kansas.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025
As of May 15, a total of 1,024 cases were reported across 31 states amid the deadliest outbreak in years.
—Sophia Vento, The Hill, 17 May 2025
Notably, one third of those storms have occurred during just three outbreak days in March and April, Thompson says.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 16 May 2025
Majority of cases involve white patients The KDHE has updated its dashboard, which shows overall numbers of cases as well as those related to the outbreak in southwest Kansas.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 15 May 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 23 May. 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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