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
According to the team, the soldiers at these sites could have become seriously ill from dehydration during summer Giardia outbreaks, which are often linked to contaminated water and can spread rapidly.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Top norovirus outbreak locations • Norovirus outbreaks are most common in close-quarter settings like schools, workplaces and health care facilities, according to the NCDHHS.
—Evan Moore
december 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
From 1989 to 1991, a measles outbreak swept through American cities, causing more than 55,000 cases and over 120 deaths.
—Jake Scott, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The highest count of outbreaks have been linked to the Vega Farms in Davis and Sacramento, according to a news release from Sacramento County Department of Public Health.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 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.
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Top norovirus outbreak locations • Norovirus outbreaks are most common in close-quarter settings like schools, workplaces and health care facilities, according to the NCDHHS.
—Evan Moore
december 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
From 1989 to 1991, a measles outbreak swept through American cities, causing more than 55,000 cases and over 120 deaths.
—Jake Scott, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The highest count of outbreaks have been linked to the Vega Farms in Davis and Sacramento, according to a news release from Sacramento County Department of Public Health.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 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 22 Dec. 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