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 septicemiaExamples of sepsis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an earlier study from 2015, Mina estimated that before vaccinations, when measles was common, the virus could have been implicated in as many as half of all childhood deaths from infectious disease, mostly from other diseases such as pneumonia, sepsis, diarrheal diseases and meningitis.
—
Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
The little boy had suffered renal failure as a result of sepsis.
—Laura Barcella, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
If not treated quickly, bacterial infection from Ludwig angina can spread, potentially causing sepsis or a generalized bacterial infection.
—Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 11 Mar. 2025
The 42-year-old from Stone Mountain, Ga., continued to learn lessons from her mother, even after her sudden death from sepsis.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
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Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
The little boy had suffered renal failure as a result of sepsis.
—Laura Barcella, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
If not treated quickly, bacterial infection from Ludwig angina can spread, potentially causing sepsis or a generalized bacterial infection.
—Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 11 Mar. 2025
The 42-year-old from Stone Mountain, Ga., continued to learn lessons from her mother, even after her sudden death from sepsis.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sepsis
Cite this Entry
“Sepsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sepsis. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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, septicemiaLove words? Need even more definitions?
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