systemic

[si-stem-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to a system, especially when affecting the entirety of a thing.

   systemic flaws in the design and construction of the vehicles.

2. relating to or noting a policy, practice, or set of beliefs that has been established as normative or customary throughout a political, social, or economic system: systemic racism.

   systemic inequality;

   systemic racism.

3. Physiology, Pathology.

   1. relating to or affecting the body as a whole.

   2. relating to or affecting a particular body system.

4. (of a pesticide) absorbed and circulated by a plant or other organism so as to be lethal to pests that feed on it.

systemic

/ -ˈstiː-, sɪˈstɛmɪk /

adjective

1. another word for systematic systematic

2. physiol (of a poison, disease, etc) affecting the entire body

3. (of a pesticide, fungicide, etc) spreading through all the parts of a plant and making it toxic to pests or parasites without destroying it

noun

1. a systemic pesticide, fungicide, etc

Other Word Forms

• systemically adverb
• nonsystemic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of systemic¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; system + -ic

Example Sentences

Rosenbaum said the right of access to counsel is “being denied systemically and intentionally” and said the government “is not coming close to full compliance with the constitution.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The author points to systemic problems enabled by figures like Mitch McConnell and Supreme Court decisions that have created an “unlimited geyser of campaign spending”.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The latest BofA Global Fund Manager Survey shows that investors see private equity and credit as the most likely source of a systemic credit event.

Read more on MarketWatch

They said Ms Ockenden had the trust of families and proven experience in uncovering systemic failings in maternity care.

Read more on BBC

There has been a systemic problem with hiring of air traffic controllers for more than a decade.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• fundamental 
• integral 
• intrinsic