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

Two years ago, a serious bout of sepsis hospitalized Brickey for a month. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

Listeria infection in the blood can lead to sepsis, which can be deadly. —Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025

Levi’s father, Neil, is now sharing their family's journey in hopes of raising awareness about sepsis so others don’t end up in their situation. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

After being hospitalized with sepsis and a blood clot, legendary transgender rights activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy has returned home to receive hospice care, according to a post from the Griffin-Gracy Educational and Historical Center, an organization the Stonewall veteran launched in 2017. —Mikelle Street, Them., 7 Oct. 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