pandemic

[ pan-dem-ik ]

adjective

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

/ păn-dĕm′ĭk /

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 Words From

• pan·de·mi·a [pan-, dee, -mee-, uh], noun
• pan·de·mic·i·ty [pan-d, uh, -, mis, -i-tee], noun
• in·ter·pan·dem·ic 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

There was a line I had, really throughout the whole pandemic, which was, “Schools should be the last to close, first to open,” and we largely ignored that.

From Salon

Now, for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, the company has returned to the United States — but not to New York, where some of the main importers of European work remain diminished and disoriented.

From New York Times

Whooping cough — a highly contagious and potentially dangerous illness — has surged in California this year, staging a comeback to levels not seen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

“The pandemic has changed many things related to work in the city of Los Angeles,” said Blair Miller, a principal project coordinator with the Los Angeles Department of Economic and Workforce Development.

From Los Angeles Times

The extraordinary fundraising efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore inspired pride among his neighbours during the pandemic.

From BBC