incidence

[ in-si-duhns ]

noun

1. the rate or range of occurrence or influence of something, especially of something unwanted:

   the high incidence of heart disease in men over 40.

2. a falling upon, affecting, or befalling; occurrence:

   The incidence of murder that Sunday afternoon shocked the sleepy village.

3. Optics, Physics.
   1. the striking of a ray of light, beam of electrons, etc., on a surface, or the direction of striking.
   2. angle of incidence ( def 1 ).
4. the fact or the manner of being incident.
5. Geometry. partial coincidence of two figures, as of a line and a plane containing it.

incidence

/ ˈɪnsɪdəns /

noun

1. degree, extent, or frequency of occurrence; amount

   a high incidence of death from pneumonia

2. the act or manner of impinging on or affecting by proximity or influence
3. physics the arrival of a beam of light or particles at a surface See also angle of incidence
4. geometry the partial coincidence of two configurations, such as a point that lies on a circle

Word History and Origins

Origin of incidence¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin incidentia. See incident, -ence

Example Sentences

Science has long shown that the kickoff is the most dangerous play in football, with the highest incidence rate of concussions from the intense collisions.

From FiveThirtyEight

The incidence of the disorder, which causes a temporary weakness or paralysis in muscles of the face, was not greater than in the general population.

From Science News

The San Diego Board of Supervisors did this in June, creating a “Mobile Crisis Response Team” of trained mental health providers to respond to nonviolent incidences involving people with mental health issues.

From Voice of San Diego

A few weeks after Penn State resumed classes, Centre County, which for five months had largely avoided major spikes, had Pennsylvania’s highest positivity and incidence rates.

From Washington Post

When the initial incidences of lead pipes emerged, the records they had for where the piping systems were located were on index cards at the bottom of an administrative building.

From MIT Technology Review

For example, studies cited in the report have shown a higher incidence of birth defects for people living near drill sites.

From The Daily Beast

This behaviorally specific questioning method generally results in higher incidence rates than the ones used in the BJS report.

From The Daily Beast

And without a concrete way to measure the incidence of domestic violence, it is purely observational.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, since the 1970s, our yearly sugar consumption has skyrocketed along with the incidence of diabetes and obesity.

From The Daily Beast

This would push food prices up internationally, raising the incidence of hunger, disease and political instability.

From The Daily Beast

That the tax was reasonable in intention, equitable in incidence, and in itself tolerable, few probably will now deny.

From Project Gutenberg

Now it is apparent here that the angle of reflexion is made equal to the angle of incidence.

From Project Gutenberg

As recently as the nineteenth century, the incidence of disease was a thousandfold greater than it is now.

From Project Gutenberg

For the sake of illustration, the stabilizing surface has been given an angle of incidence, and therefore has a lift and C.P.

From Project Gutenberg

The main surface towards the wing-tips is given a decreasing angle of incidence and corresponding camber.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extent
• frequency
• percentage
• prevalence
• proportion
• rate