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
Smoking is still, in 2025, the leading cause of preventable mortality and morbidity in America.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Though most describe the psychological impact of birth trauma, maternal morbidity encompasses cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, infections, especially from C-sections, diabetes, blood clots, and more.
—Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Postpartum anxiety and depression are leading morbidities for postpartum women in the United States, and unfortunately are contributing to maternal mortality.
—Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
The gag order, for example, even extends to CDC’s renowned morbidity and mortality weekly report or MMWR.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for morbidity
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The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Though most describe the psychological impact of birth trauma, maternal morbidity encompasses cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, infections, especially from C-sections, diabetes, blood clots, and more.
—Essence, 14 Apr. 2025
Postpartum anxiety and depression are leading morbidities for postpartum women in the United States, and unfortunately are contributing to maternal mortality.
—Kaitlyn May, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2025
The gag order, for example, even extends to CDC’s renowned morbidity and mortality weekly report or MMWR.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for morbidity
Cite this Entry
“Morbidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morbidity. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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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