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
There have been outbreaks of tuberculosis and measles at the site, and ICE officers have used the dangerously subpar conditions to pressure detainees to sign papers authorizing their deportation.
—
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
In February, the agency said 27 people were sickened in an outbreak of an unknown gastrointestinal illness on board a luxury cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas, which was sailing from Miami to Honolulu.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The total number of people who fell ill was 153, 104 of whom were passengers and 49 of whom were crew members, the CDC said in a report on the outbreak Thursday.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Over the course of the outbreak, more than 8,000 people were sickened and nearly 800 died in over 37 countries.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
In February, the agency said 27 people were sickened in an outbreak of an unknown gastrointestinal illness on board a luxury cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas, which was sailing from Miami to Honolulu.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
The total number of people who fell ill was 153, 104 of whom were passengers and 49 of whom were crew members, the CDC said in a report on the outbreak Thursday.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Over the course of the outbreak, more than 8,000 people were sickened and nearly 800 died in over 37 countries.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.
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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