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 outbreak of the childhood disease is primarily located in the western part of the state.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Connolly also pointed out that there were several ongoing outbreaks of infectious disease in the U.S.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
In all five seasons the club played in the Premier League between PSR’s introduction in 2013-14 and the last full campaign before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Newcastle posted a profit.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
During the onion outbreak, oh my goodness, there were onions everywhere.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Connolly also pointed out that there were several ongoing outbreaks of infectious disease in the U.S.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
In all five seasons the club played in the Premier League between PSR’s introduction in 2013-14 and the last full campaign before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Newcastle posted a profit.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
During the onion outbreak, oh my goodness, there were onions everywhere.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 23 Apr. 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 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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