endemic

American  

[en-dem-ik] / ɛnˈdɛm ɪk /

adjective

1. natural to or characteristic of a specific people or place; native; indigenous.

   The group is committed to preserving the endemic folkways of their nation.

   The recession hit especially hard in countries where high unemployment is endemic.

2. belonging exclusively or confined to a particular place.

   When traveling, he caught a fever endemic to the tropics.

3. (of a disease) persisting in a population or region, generally having settled to a relatively constant rate of occurrence.

   The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 may never disappear, but could become endemic like the flu.

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noun

1. an endemic disease.

endemic British  

/ ɛnˈdɛmɪk /

adjective

1. present within a localized area or peculiar to persons in such an area

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noun

1. an endemic disease or plant

endemic Scientific  

/ ĕn-dĕm′ĭk /

1. Relating to a disease or pathogen that is found in or confined to a particular location, region, or people. Malaria, for example, is endemic to tropical regions.

2. See also epidemic pandemic

3. Native to a specific region or environment and not occurring naturally anywhere else. The giant sequoia is endemic to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada.

4. Compare alien indigenous

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Usage

What does endemic mean? Endemic is an adjective that means natural to, native to, confined to, or widespread within a place or population of people. Endemic is perhaps most commonly used to describe a disease that is prevalent in or restricted to a particular location, region, or population. For example, malaria is said to be endemic to tropical regions.In this context, it can also be used as a noun: an endemic disease can simply be called an endemic. When used to describe species of plants or animals that are found only within a specific place, it has the same meaning as native or indigenous, as in This plant is endemic to this region.It can also be applied to characteristics of a people, place, or situation, as in Corruption was endemic in that organization when I worked there.

Other Word Forms

• endemically adverb
• endemicity noun
• endemism noun
• nonendemic adjective
• unendemic adjective

Etymology

Origin of endemic

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin endēmicus, equivalent to Greek éndēm(os) “dwelling in a place, native, (of disease) endemic” (from en- “within, in” + dêm(os) “people, district”) + Latin -icus adjective suffix; en- ², deme, -ic

Example Sentences

Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, has long been a source of U.S.-bound migrants fleeing endemic violence and unemployment.

From The Wall Street Journal

The uphill nature of Lloyd’s battle to stamp out sexism and racism reflects endemic issues in the wider insurance world, according to people close to Lloyd’s.

From The Wall Street Journal

Vast Australia is one of the world's most biodiverse countries, but 100 endemic species have become extinct since colonisation, official data shows.

From Barron's

Corruption and organized crime have been endemic in the former Soviet space since the Brezhnev era.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It is a convenient label for a loose and sometimes fractious group of generals and senior government officials that thrives amidst Venezuela’s endemic corruption,” Gunson said.

From The Wall Street Journal