outbreak
Americannoun
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a sudden breaking break out or occurrence, especially of something bad or unpleasant; eruption.
the outbreak of war.
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a sudden and active manifestation.
an outbreak of hives.
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a sudden increase in the incidence of a disease or medical condition in a particular place or population: a worldwide polio outbreak in the early 1900s.
a serious outbreak of malaria in northern Uganda;
a worldwide polio outbreak in the early 1900s.
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an outburst.
an outbreak of temper.
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an insurrection, revolt, or mutiny.
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a public disturbance; riot.
noun
Etymology
Origin of outbreak
Explanation
A sudden or abrupt onset of something really bad is an outbreak. You could experience an outbreak of measles or an outbreak of violence; either way, try to protect yourself. When you talk about an outbreak of something, it's almost always something terrible, or at least unwanted. You might hear about an outbreak of war in a distant country, or an outbreak of violence in a big city, or an outbreak of disease among farm animals. Outbreak started as a Middle English verb around 1300, becoming a noun meaning "eruption" about three hundred years later.
Vocabulary lists containing outbreak
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 6
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“Vaccine Controversy Shows Why We Need Markets, Not Mandates” by Ron Paul
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But BBC Eye has been leaked the joint mission's April 2025 inspection report into the city's outbreak, which found many of the same issues as our investigation into THQ Taunsa.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
The process has stalled further since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, with Washington's attention having shifted towards Iran.
From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026
A targeted vaccination programme was offered initially to students in university halls in Kent before being expanded to those who attended local nightclub Club Chemistry where the outbreak is thought to have originated.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Federal law also still prohibits the sale of raw milk across state lines because of outbreak risks, though it remains legal to sell in more than half of U.S. states.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
There an outbreak of the black-headed budworm had been raging for several years.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
