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 organization needs donations in its fight against mange outbreaks and continued care of native wildlife species in Middle Tennessee.
—
Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
When experts moved to harmonize the country’s vaccine schedules in the 1990s, the recent outbreak had laid out the stakes and benefits of synchronization clearly.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 15 people, further straining health services in the country.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
However, 95% of the population must be immune to measles to prevent outbreaks — either through vaccination or through prior infection, according to the CDC.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
When experts moved to harmonize the country’s vaccine schedules in the 1990s, the recent outbreak had laid out the stakes and benefits of synchronization clearly.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 15 people, further straining health services in the country.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
However, 95% of the population must be immune to measles to prevent outbreaks — either through vaccination or through prior infection, according to the CDC.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 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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