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 team found that the frontline treatments for neonatal sepsis currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) were ineffective against the majority of infections. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

But when sepsis develops, the body's defensive measures spiral out of control, triggering widespread inflammation, abnormal blood clotting and leaky blood vessels. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Additionally, Black patients are more susceptible to keloid scarring, and a 2020 cross-specialty study of surgical patients found that Black patients had a higher rate of sepsis or septic shock compared to White patients. —Essence, 24 Sep. 2025

The serious bacterial infection caused bacterial meningitis, which led to sepsis. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025

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