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
The country’s worst outbreak happened in 1972, when the USDA estimated that there were 90,000 cases, and another outbreak of that magnitude could cost the Southwest alone more than $3 billion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
—
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
However, one such device was successfully deployed during the last major outbreak of Ebola, helping to drive down exceedingly high viral levels in one critically ill patient.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026
Since eradication in 1966, the flies have been spotted domestically in isolated outbreaks through the American southwest in the 1970s and the Florida Keys in 2016.
—Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 4 June 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implemented enhanced entry measures for travelers from countries linked to the outbreak.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
However, one such device was successfully deployed during the last major outbreak of Ebola, helping to drive down exceedingly high viral levels in one critically ill patient.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026
Since eradication in 1966, the flies have been spotted domestically in isolated outbreaks through the American southwest in the 1970s and the Florida Keys in 2016.
—Nicholas Kerr, ABC News, 4 June 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implemented enhanced entry measures for travelers from countries linked to the outbreak.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 4 June 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 11 Jun. 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
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