outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/
noun
- A sudden start or increase of something bad, such as a disease, war, or violence.
- Health officials are monitoring the outbreak of a new virus in the region.
- An outbreak of fighting between the two groups led to many injuries.
- The government acted quickly to contain the outbreak of the flu.
- A sudden, strong expression of an emotion or activity.
- There was an outbreak of laughter when the clown slipped on the banana peel.
- The news caused an outbreak of panic among the residents.
- Her speech triggered an outbreak of applause from the audience.