1
a
b
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
Synonyms
Examples of illness in a Sentence
Her body was not able to defend itself against illness.
Hundreds of soldiers died from illness and hunger.
He showed no signs of illness.
Scientists have not yet found a cure for this illness.
cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses
She died at the age of 60 after a brief illness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrik Laine missed a couple of games due to illness this week, but that does not seem to be a long-term issue.
—
Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Interview ‘The Inexplicable Facets of Living in a Human Body’: An Interview with Emma Bolden
Emma R. Cohen
The author of The Tiger and the Cage on writing about her hysterectomy, the absurdities of medical metaphor, and the illness narratives that liberate and limit us.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025
Especially in summer, heat illness has affected more than 30,000 people and caused hundreds of deaths in Florida.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Hayes’ basket, the one that cut the lead to two, was his first of the season after missing time due to illness.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illness 
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Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Interview ‘The Inexplicable Facets of Living in a Human Body’: An Interview with Emma Bolden
Emma R. Cohen
The author of The Tiger and the Cage on writing about her hysterectomy, the absurdities of medical metaphor, and the illness narratives that liberate and limit us.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025
Especially in summer, heat illness has affected more than 30,000 people and caused hundreds of deaths in Florida.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
Hayes’ basket, the one that cut the lead to two, was his first of the season after missing time due to illness.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for illness
Dictionary Entries Near illness
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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