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
Synonyms
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
This is the second Listeria outbreak in the summer.
—
Verywell Health Editors, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
The virus was first identified 25 years ago in Malaysia and has led to outbreaks in Bangladesh, India and Singapore.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 July 2024
Grossing $494 million and earning two Academy Award nods, Twister starred Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alan Ruck as a group of amateur storm chasers attempting to deploy a research device during a severe tornado outbreak in Oklahoma.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 July 2024
Many of the patients in this outbreak reported eating meats sliced at deli counters before falling ill.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for outbreak 
Verywell Health Editors, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
The virus was first identified 25 years ago in Malaysia and has led to outbreaks in Bangladesh, India and Singapore.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 July 2024
Grossing $494 million and earning two Academy Award nods, Twister starred Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, Jami Gertz, Cary Elwes, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alan Ruck as a group of amateur storm chasers attempting to deploy a research device during a severe tornado outbreak in Oklahoma.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 July 2024
Many of the patients in this outbreak reported eating meats sliced at deli counters before falling ill.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for outbreak
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outbreak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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