morbidity
noun
mor·bid·i·ty
mȯr-ˈbi-də-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being morbid
especially
: an attitude, quality, or state of mind marked by excessive gloom
… there must have been some strange morbidity in his nature which made him take a grim pleasure in self-torture. —
Somerset Maugham
Somerset Maugham 2
: a diseased state or symptom : ill health
Parasitic protozoans and helminths represent two major groups of infectious agents that are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.—Adel A. F. Mahmoud
Adel A. F. Mahmoud
also
: a complication or undesirable side effect following surgery or medical treatment
Because laryngectomy results in substantial functional morbidity, including the loss of the natural voice … alternative forms of treatment have been developed. —The New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine 3
: the incidence of disease : the rate of illness (as in a specified population or group)
Because the young lack immune capability, the morbidity of viral upper respiratory diseases often reaches 100 percent of kittens in a litter or household.—Margaret Reister
Margaret Reister
also
: the incidence of complications or undesirable side effects following surgery or medical treatment
… radical prostatectomy in this setting … is associated with a very high morbidity. —Phillip W. Kantoff
Phillip W. Kantoff Examples of morbidity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When asked about new efforts to address concerns about the uncounted bycatch, morbidity, and ecological impacts of the trawlers, Eric Deakin, CEO of Coastal Villages, seemed confident that their research would provide an accurate picture.
—Lucas E. Wright, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
While approaches to protect high-risk patients may limit morbidity and mortality at the margins, COVID-19 deaths are related more to national health, age and demographic breakdown, and population immunity.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for morbidity 
Lucas E. Wright, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
While approaches to protect high-risk patients may limit morbidity and mortality at the margins, COVID-19 deaths are related more to national health, age and demographic breakdown, and population immunity.
—Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for morbidity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'morbidity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Morbidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morbidity. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morbidity
noun
mor·bid·i·ty
mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē
plural morbidities
1
: the quality or state of being morbid
2
: the rate at which a disease occurs in a group of individuals
Medical Definition
morbidity
noun
mor·bid·i·ty
mȯr-ˈbid-ət-ē
plural morbidities
1
: a diseased state or symptom : ill health
Parasitic protozoans and helminths represent two major groups of infectious agents that are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in human and animal populations.—Adel A. F. Mahmoud, Nature
Adel A. F. Mahmoud, Nature
also
: a complication or undesirable side effect following surgery or medical treatment
Because laryngectomy results in substantial functional morbidity, including the loss of the natural voice … alternative forms of treatment have been developed. —The New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine 2
: the incidence of disease : the rate of illness (as in a specified population or group)
Because the young lack immune capability, the morbidity of viral upper respiratory diseases often reaches 100 percent of kittens in a litter or household.—Margaret Reister, Cat Fancy
Margaret Reister, Cat Fancy
also
: the incidence of complications or undesirable side effects following surgery or medical treatment
… radical prostatectomy in this setting … is associated with a very high morbidity. —Phillip W. Kantoff, Scientific American Medicine
compare mortality sense 2
Phillip W. Kantoff, Scientific American Medicine Love words? Need even more definitions?
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