outbreak

American  

[out-breyk] / ˈaʊtˌbreɪk /

noun

1. a sudden breaking break out or occurrence, especially of something bad or unpleasant; eruption.

   the outbreak of war.

2. a sudden and active manifestation.

   an outbreak of hives.

3. 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.

4. an outburst.

   an outbreak of temper.

5. an insurrection, revolt, or mutiny.

6. a public disturbance; riot.

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outbreak British  

/ ˈaʊtˌbreɪk /

noun

1. a sudden, violent, or spontaneous occurrence, esp of disease or strife

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Etymology

Origin of outbreak

First recorded in 1595–1605; out- + break

Example Sentences

His farm is currently closed due to a bovine tuberculosis outbreak which means his extra stock can't be moved on and are therefore producing even more slurry.

From BBC

It said the money for Zimbabwe would have gone towards "HIV/Aids treatment and prevention, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease outbreak preparedness".

From BBC

The local livestock department said samples from the tigers showed canine distemper virus - though authorities have not confirmed how the outbreak happened.

From BBC

During Birmingham's 2023 outbreak, some former doctors and nurses were brought out of retirement, like they had been in the pandemic.

From BBC

This is the epicentre of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has – in the past year – swept across eight of the country's nine provinces, devastating animal herds, with many cattle being killed to halt its spread.

From BBC

Related Words

• crash
• disruption
• epidemic
• eruption
• explosion
• flare-up
• onset
• plague
• storm
• surge
• uprising