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
Two additional deaths have been reported in a listeria outbreak linked to recalled ready-to-eat pasta salads and prepared meals sold at major grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger, and Walmart, health officials said Thursday.
—
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Two more people have died and seven others have fallen ill in a growing outbreak of listeria infections linked to recalled ready-to-eat pasta meals sold nationwide at major grocery chains including Walmart and Trader Joe’s, federal health officials said Thursday.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
Read All About It Canada is on track to lose its measles elimination status as an outbreak continues to spread.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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show current usage.
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Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Two more people have died and seven others have fallen ill in a growing outbreak of listeria infections linked to recalled ready-to-eat pasta meals sold nationwide at major grocery chains including Walmart and Trader Joe’s, federal health officials said Thursday.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Oct. 2025
Read All About It Canada is on track to lose its measles elimination status as an outbreak continues to spread.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 29 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 6 Nov. 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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