# morbidity

/mɔɹˈbɪdəti/ (US) · /mɔːbˈɪdɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/morbidity
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the state of being sick or the rate at which people in a group are ill. It is often used to describe how common a specific disease is in a certain area.

For teachers: the state of being ill or the prevalence of a specific disease within a population. Often used in medical statistics to measure the frequency of a condition.

## Examples

- The hospital reported a high rate of morbidity this year.
- Public health officials are tracking the morbidity of the flu to determine if a new vaccine is needed.
- While the mortality rate remained stable, the rising morbidity of chronic respiratory diseases highlighted the urgent need for improved urban air quality standards.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.