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.

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

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 pandemic

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.

Other Word Forms

• epidemically adverb
• epidemicity noun
• interepidemic adjective
• preepidemic noun

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

America’s drug epidemic is a demand problem, as 50 years of drug warring demonstrates.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The opioid epidemic has been called “the deadliest drug crisis in American history.”

Read more on Salon

It is the latest flash point in a national debate about how to handle what some see as an epidemic of shoplifting.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some major news outlets initially wrote off the emerging epidemic as a “gay plague,” insinuating that other Americans didn’t need to worry about it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services said: “HHS’ actions mark historic progress in tackling the autism epidemic—just as Secretary Kennedy promised.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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