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
When a smallpox outbreak struck in the 1890s, the island became an isolation area for the sick.
—
Jordan Charbonneau, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
The process has stalled further since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
On the latest episode of Beauty Secrets, Sarah Pidgeon said her Love Story wardrobe led to a major psoriasis outbreak.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2026
According to data obtained via The Washington Post in January 2026, 1 in 3 Allegheny County kindergartners were in a classroom too far below adequate vaccination coverage to stop a measles outbreak during the 2023-24 school year.
—Kar-Hai Chu, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
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.
Jordan Charbonneau, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
The process has stalled further since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
On the latest episode of Beauty Secrets, Sarah Pidgeon said her Love Story wardrobe led to a major psoriasis outbreak.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2026
According to data obtained via The Washington Post in January 2026, 1 in 3 Allegheny County kindergartners were in a classroom too far below adequate vaccination coverage to stop a measles outbreak during the 2023-24 school year.
—Kar-Hai Chu, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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
