Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for epidemic

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

epidemic

/ ĕp′ĭ-dĕmĭk /

  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.
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˌepiˈdemically, adverb
Discover More

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
Discover More

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
Discover More

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
Discover More

Example Sentences

I led efforts to reverse epidemics overseas and have lived and worked in several dictatorships.

From Salon

Between that and America’s gun violence epidemic, which Trenberth blames on poor regulations, the climate scientist felt his best option was to replant himself in New Zealand.

From Salon

The result is what one Texas law enforcement official called "a little bit of an epidemic" of infant abandonment.

From Salon

As well as showing up interbreeding with different populations, embedded in the ancient DNA are hugely important details on how people coped with key historical moments, such epidemics, shifts in diet, urbanisation, and industrialisation.

From BBC

"Without transparency, sharing, and co-operation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics," it added.

From BBC

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


epideicticepidemic encephalitis