Word of the day · 29 April 2026
sepsis
/ˈsɛpsɪs/
noun
A life-threatening condition in which the body’s response to infection injures its own tissues and organs.
In a sentence
- Doctors treated the sepsis with fluids and antibiotics in intensive care.
- A small cut can rarely lead to sepsis if bacteria spread.
- Training helped nurses spot sepsis faster on night shifts.
In an image
Origin
From Greek sēpsis (putrefaction, decay), from sēpein (to make rotten); medicine narrowed it to a specific syndrome.
History
Older writing used sepsis for rotting infection. Modern hospitals define it through infection plus organ dysfunction driven by the immune response. Early treatment matters, which is why public campaigns teach warning signs. People search the word after a diagnosis in the family or a news story.
Nearby words
infection · septicemia · inflammation
When infection triggers a dangerous whole-body emergency.