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
The months that followed were filled with more hospitalizations, transfusions, and a serious bout of sepsis.
—
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Trebor died of sepsis on March 11 at the Los Angeles Medical Center, his wife, Deirdre Hennings, told The Hollywood Reporter.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Trebor died March 11 at Los Angeles Medical Center of sepsis, his wife, Deirdre Hennings, told The Hollywood Reporter.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
But if it’s not removed within hours or days, the woman could be at risk of sepsis, or of losing her uterus.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sepsis
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John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Trebor died of sepsis on March 11 at the Los Angeles Medical Center, his wife, Deirdre Hennings, told The Hollywood Reporter.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Trebor died March 11 at Los Angeles Medical Center of sepsis, his wife, Deirdre Hennings, told The Hollywood Reporter.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
But if it’s not removed within hours or days, the woman could be at risk of sepsis, or of losing her uterus.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 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 13 Apr. 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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