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
Advertisement The rise in flu cases around the continent, as well as outbreaks in Europe earlier this year, have led some medical experts to warn that influenza may be evolving to spread more quickly or earlier than typical in some regions.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Experts say that any amount of measles spread is cause for concern, and large outbreaks highlight the dangers of declining vaccination rates.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Like many retail businesses, Algin Furniture was forced to change and adapt after the COVID-19 outbreak.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
This timeline is unusual to Indiana, which typically sees outbreaks in July.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Experts say that any amount of measles spread is cause for concern, and large outbreaks highlight the dangers of declining vaccination rates.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Like many retail businesses, Algin Furniture was forced to change and adapt after the COVID-19 outbreak.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Oct. 2025
This timeline is unusual to Indiana, which typically sees outbreaks in July.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 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 17 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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