plural sepses
ˈsep-ˌsēz 
: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock
Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.
compare septicemiaExamples of sepsis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Complications from bird flu can also lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, multi-organ failure (respiratory and kidney failure), sepsis or septic shock.
—
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
As of Monday, the Vatican has not indicated any signs of sepsis in his condition.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
The pope’s medical team has said the biggest threat to his life is sepsis, a serious blood infection that can occur as a complication of pneumonia.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
ProPublica previously reported on two such cases in which miscarrying women in Texas died of sepsis after doctors delayed evacuating their uteruses.
—Lizzie Presser, ProPublica, 20 Feb. 2025
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Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
As of Monday, the Vatican has not indicated any signs of sepsis in his condition.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
The pope’s medical team has said the biggest threat to his life is sepsis, a serious blood infection that can occur as a complication of pneumonia.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
ProPublica previously reported on two such cases in which miscarrying women in Texas died of sepsis after doctors delayed evacuating their uteruses.
—Lizzie Presser, ProPublica, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sepsis
Cite this Entry
“Sepsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sepsis. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sepsis
noun
sep·sis
ˈsep-səs
plural sepses
ˈsep-ˌsēz
: a potentially life-threatening, systemic response of the immune system that results from the spread of pathogenic agents (as bacteria or viruses) and their toxins to the bloodstream from a localized infection (as of the lungs), that involves both inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity, and that is marked especially by fever, chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, fatigue, confusion, increased blood coagulation, hypotension, impaired microcirculation, and organ dysfunction, and that may progress to septic shock
Note: The primary cause of sepsis is pneumonia with secondary causes commonly including infections of the abdominal cavity and urinary tract.
compare multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septicemiaLove words? Need even more definitions?
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