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
While public health officials are taking the infections in stride, outside experts say each new human infection is a sign that the outbreak is not under control and that the people who are working with cattle and other sick animals are not being adequately protected.
—
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Oct. 2024
The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda continues to evolve, with more patients continuing to be identified.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
In 1949, lithium chloride, a table-salt alternative marketed to people with heart conditions, caused an outbreak of lithium poisoning in which at least two people died.
—Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
The salmonella outbreak is the 10th instance of gastrointestinal illness on cruises the CDC has documented in 2024.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for outbreak 
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 8 Oct. 2024
The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda continues to evolve, with more patients continuing to be identified.
—Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
In 1949, lithium chloride, a table-salt alternative marketed to people with heart conditions, caused an outbreak of lithium poisoning in which at least two people died.
—Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
The salmonella outbreak is the 10th instance of gastrointestinal illness on cruises the CDC has documented in 2024.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 4 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 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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