Outbreak

Pronunciation

Origin

From Middle English *utbreken, from Old English ūtābrecan ("to break out"), equivalent to - + break. Cognate with Dutch uitbreken ("to break out, burst out"), German ausbrechen ("to break out, erupt").

Noun

1. An eruption, sudden appearance''Any epidemic outbreak causes understandable panic
2. A sudden increase.There has been an outbreak of vandalism at the school.
3. An outburst or sudden eruption, especially of violence and mischief.There has been an outbreak of broken windows in the street.
4. An uproar, riot''Poorly trained officers can't control a prison outburst without excessive repression
5. (uncountable) A geological layer that breaks out

Synonyms

• outburst
• tumult

Antonyms

• inbreak

Full definition of outbreak

Verb

1. (intransitive) To burst out
2. (intransitive) To break forth

Anagrams

• breakout, break out
• kabouter