septic shock

noun

: a severe form of sepsis that is associated with profound, life-threatening circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, that is marked especially by increased capillary permeability and vasodilation resulting in persistent, dangerously low blood pressure and reduced blood flow despite fluid administration, and that leads to multiple organ failure

By many estimates, sepsis—and its most severe form, septic shock—is the leading cause of death for intensive care patients in the U.S. and the 10th most common cause of death for everyone else in the country.

—Maryn McKenna

Examples of septic shock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ultimately, septic shock was what caused her death, which prematurely ended the battle that Fang Klein and her family were about to wage. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026

Several cheetahs went into septic shock and died during a monsoon. —Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 15 Apr. 2026

Untreated puppies usually die from dehydration and septic shock. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Duong had gone into septic shock Friday, Steele wrote in an earlier update. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for septic shock

• aftershock
• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• isopach
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk

Medical Definition

septic shock

noun

: a severe form of sepsis that is associated with profound, life-threatening circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, is marked especially by increased capillary permeability and vasodilation resulting in persistent, dangerously low blood and reduced blood flow pressure despite fluid administration, and that leads to multiple organ failure