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 (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 septicemia

Examples of sepsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Molla chose to bring her pregnancy to term, and, a week after delivering a healthy girl, died of sepsis, leaving her children motherless. —

Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 27 June 2024 In March, Anderson lost his wife Krystal to sepsis, following the stillbirth of their daughter, Charlotte. —

Lonyae Coulter, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2024 Smith found a number of symptoms, including fever, spots on his skin, shortness of breath, sepsis, chills, rigors, worsening tachycardia and blood pressure between 180 and 190, the suit states. —

Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2024 In a final set of experiments, the team showed that, in mice, activating the vagal-brainstem circuit could restore immune balance and prevent inflammatory states resembling ulcerative colitis and sepsis. —

Esther Landhuis, Quanta Magazine, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for sepsis

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sepsis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek sēpsis decay, from sēpein to putrefy

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of sepsis was in 1863

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sepsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sepsis. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Medical 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, septicemia

Last Updated: 7 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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sepsis

noun

Examples of sepsis in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near sepsis

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition