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
In fact, no additional outbreaks of severe to extreme cold are expected for the rest of the winter, according to AccuWeather long-range experts.
—
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, egg markets remain sensitive to disease outbreaks, and those forecasts can change quickly if a new wave of bird flu tightens supply.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers passed a law allowing them in 2015, but a historic outbreak in rural Scott County was both the catalyst and the justification.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
This has led to outbreaks in warmer regions like Brazil and other areas in Latin America, where feline sporotrichosis is more prevalent.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, egg markets remain sensitive to disease outbreaks, and those forecasts can change quickly if a new wave of bird flu tightens supply.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers passed a law allowing them in 2015, but a historic outbreak in rural Scott County was both the catalyst and the justification.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
This has led to outbreaks in warmer regions like Brazil and other areas in Latin America, where feline sporotrichosis is more prevalent.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 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 16 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
