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
For her part, Park got teary eyed thanking Goreski for his heart, humor and spirit and for helping lift her up in the wake of a critical sepsis illness.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2025
However, some bacterial toxins can do other kinds of damage to the body, and there are some bacteria that can actually produce a general infection, or sepsis, especially salmonella.
—Perri Klass, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
He’s been in the ICU on a ventilator for two weeks now, fighting necrotizing pancreatitis and sepsis.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
Medas had been hospitalized and in the ICU at a Miami hospital due to a severe case of necrotizing pancreatitis and sepsis.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 2 May 2025
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Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 25 Apr. 2025
However, some bacterial toxins can do other kinds of damage to the body, and there are some bacteria that can actually produce a general infection, or sepsis, especially salmonella.
—Perri Klass, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
He’s been in the ICU on a ventilator for two weeks now, fighting necrotizing pancreatitis and sepsis.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
Medas had been hospitalized and in the ICU at a Miami hospital due to a severe case of necrotizing pancreatitis and sepsis.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 2 May 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 21 May. 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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