epidemic

[ ep-i-dem-ik ]

adjective

1. Also epidemical. (of a disease) affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent. Compare pandemic ( def 1 ).
2. extremely prevalent; widespread.

noun

1. a temporary prevalence of a disease.
2. a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something:

   an epidemic of riots.

epidemic

/ ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk /

adjective

1. (esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area

noun

1. a widespread occurrence of a disease

   an influenza epidemic

2. a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasant

   an epidemic of strikes

epidemic

/ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk /

1. An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time.
2. See also endemic

epidemic

1. A contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely among the population in an area. Immunization and quarantine are two of the methods used to control an epidemic.

Derived Forms

• ˌepiˈdemically, adverb

Other Words From

• ep·i·dem·i·cal·ly adverb
• ep·i·de·mic·i·ty [ep-i-d, uh, -, mis, -i-tee], noun
• in·ter·ep·i·dem·ic adjective
• pre·ep·i·dem·ic noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemic¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete epidem(y) (from Late Latin epidēmia, from Greek epidēmía “staying in one place, among the people,” equivalent to epi- epi- + dêm(os) “people of a district” + -ia -y ³ ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemic¹

C17: from French épidémique, via Late Latin from Greek epidēmia literally: among the people, from epi- + dēmos people

Example Sentences

For example, what is AIDS, or COVID, or epidemic violence?

From Salon

Dr. Gary Slutkin is an epidemiologist formerly with the World Health Organization, where he founded the Intervention Unit, which designed innovations in epidemic control.

From Salon

"I just don't think this is a healthy mentality," Kasparian complained, essentially embracing the view that the "male loneliness epidemic" is women's problem, at least in part.

From Salon

Public debate over the "male loneliness epidemic," for instance, is largely about how much men's emotional needs are filled by women, and how single men aren't finding other outlets for sociability.

From Salon

In a television advertisement, Baugh shared about his younger brother’s death from fentanyl in 2020 and emphasized that his first priority in Congress would be to address the fentanyl epidemic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contagion
• outbreak
• pest
• plague
• rash
• scourge
• spread
• wave