1
a
b
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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
Her early death, after an illness that the father initially contrives to ignore then notices just in time to capture her desperation in a fine sketch, leaves Mimí utterly disoriented, yearning only to achieve a level of self-control and detachment that will spare him their tumultuous struggle.
—
Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The archival, iconic footage of Jordan scoring 38 points while dealing with illness in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals was intended to inspire willpower in a Bruins team that had run shakily out of the starting gate in its last two tournament games.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Avila will make the spot start Saturday as Michael Wacha is sidelined with an illness.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Common triggers Dunaway sees include illness, surgery, or big life stressors.
—Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
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Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The archival, iconic footage of Jordan scoring 38 points while dealing with illness in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals was intended to inspire willpower in a Bruins team that had run shakily out of the starting gate in its last two tournament games.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Avila will make the spot start Saturday as Michael Wacha is sidelined with an illness.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Common triggers Dunaway sees include illness, surgery, or big life stressors.
—Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for illness
Cite this Entry
“Illness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illness. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
illness
noun
ill·ness
ˈil-nəs 
1
: an unhealthy condition of body or mind
2
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