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 decline in the wholesale price is due to the absence of major bird flu outbreaks so far in March, which has allowed the egg supply to recover.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Right now, Kansas has 68 active TB cases, one of the largest US outbreaks in recent history.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025
The current measles outbreak in the United States has claimed more than 300 lives, and at least one death and potentially two.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
There have been 10 total gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in 2025, most caused by norovirus.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
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Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Right now, Kansas has 68 active TB cases, one of the largest US outbreaks in recent history.
—Dylan Scott, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025
The current measles outbreak in the United States has claimed more than 300 lives, and at least one death and potentially two.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
There have been 10 total gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in 2025, most caused by norovirus.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outbreak
Cite this Entry
“Outbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreak. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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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