sepsis

noun

sep·​sis ˈsep-səs 

plural sepses ˈsep-ˌsēz 

: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock

Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.

compare septicemia

Examples of sepsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The filing alleges Hubbard experienced gastrointestinal illness, sepsis, and other long-term complications, while the child reported nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distress. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Meanwhile, the patient — the person who gave birth in a car, or had sepsis, or needed 56 days in a NICU — is not at the table. —Darshak Sanghavi, STAT, 3 June 2026

These pathogens can cause problems such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea but can also progress to more serious complications including sepsis and bacteremia, a condition in which bacteria enter the bloodstream, Wang said. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

According to the autopsy, the cause of Beard's death was pulmonary embolism and bronchopneumonia with sepsis, a complication of his shotgun wound, according to court records. —Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sēpsis decay, from sēpein to putrefy

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sepsis

• antisepsis
• asepsis

Medical Definition

sepsis

noun

sep·​sis ˈsep-səs 

plural sepses ˈsep-ˌsēz 

: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, and that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock

Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.

compare multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septicemia