pandemic

American  

[pan-dem-ik] / pænˈdɛm ɪk /

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.

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noun

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

pandemic British  

/ pænˈdɛmɪk /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a pandemic disease

pandemic Scientific  

/ păn-dĕm′ĭk /

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

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pandemic Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• interpandemic adjective
• pandemia noun
• pandemicity noun

Etymology

Origin of pandemic

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-

Example Sentences

After its chaotic first day, Chai Pani was a huge success, surviving the financial collapse, the Covid-19 pandemic and a catastrophic flood that swamped the area after Hurricane Helene.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Since 2000 there have been 25 renewals of the race, with no running in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

That was the beginning of a lot of book club visits, some in person, many virtual first via Skype and then, during and after the pandemic, via Zoom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Air China restarted direct flights between the two capitals last week, ending a six-year pause initiated by the pandemic.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

His mother, toward the end of the pandemic, crying and crying and saying, “I can’t do this anymore,” not to him but through him.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman