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
Where is the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York?
—
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
But even as science was finally making inroads against Covid, a second problem arose, a phenomenon the World Health Organization identified as an infodemic—the flood of information, much of it false, that occurs during a disease outbreak.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Top priorities are to support early detection and treatment of malnutrition and prevention of disease outbreaks.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Over the past few weeks, the U.S. has experienced a surge in virus outbreaks, including chikungunya, Legionnaires' disease and dengue fever, which have all sickened hundreds of people and can adversely affect the body in severe cases.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2025
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.
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
But even as science was finally making inroads against Covid, a second problem arose, a phenomenon the World Health Organization identified as an infodemic—the flood of information, much of it false, that occurs during a disease outbreak.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
Top priorities are to support early detection and treatment of malnutrition and prevention of disease outbreaks.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Over the past few weeks, the U.S. has experienced a surge in virus outbreaks, including chikungunya, Legionnaires' disease and dengue fever, which have all sickened hundreds of people and can adversely affect the body in severe cases.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share