pandemic

[pan-dem-ik]

adjective

1. (of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area.

2. general; universal.

   pandemic fear of atomic war.

noun

1. a disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world.

pandemic

/ pænˈdɛmɪk /

adjective

1. (of a disease) affecting persons over a wide geographical area; extensively epidemic

noun

1. a pandemic disease

pandemic

1. An epidemic that spreads over a very wide area, such as an entire country or continent.

pandemic

1. A widespread epidemic affecting a large part of the population.

Other Word Forms

• pandemia noun
• pandemicity noun
• interpandemic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pandemic¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Late Latin pandēm(us), from Greek pándēmos “common, public” ( pan- “all” + dêm(os) “the people” + -os adjective suffix) + -ic; pan-

Word History and Origins

Origin of pandemic¹

C17: from Late Latin pandēmus, from Greek pandēmos general, from _pan- + demos the people

Example Sentences

Then during the Covid-19 pandemic when she was 16, she had what she describes as a "massive flare up" in which she was "punching" herself and "swearing" at her parents.

From BBC

But it didn’t yield era-defining singles like the pandemic lifesaver “Future Nostalgia” did.

From Los Angeles Times

Some families, he says, are glad to accept the virtual option, but others are too burned out by screens, a common sentiment since the online learning days of the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

A shift to recording lectures during the pandemic has made it easier for students to catch up with work.

From BBC

This was way before the pandemic, when that became the thing to do.

From Los Angeles Times