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epidemic
[ ep-i-dem-ik ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈdɛm ɪk /
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adjective
Also ep·i·dem·i·cal . (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).
extremely prevalent; widespread.
noun
a temporary prevalence of a disease.
a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something: an epidemic of riots.
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Origin of epidemic
OTHER WORDS FROM epidemic
ep·i·dem·i·cal·ly, adverbep·i·de·mic·i·ty [ep-i-duh-mis-i-tee], /ˌɛp ɪ dəˈmɪs ɪ ti/, nounin·ter·ep·i·dem·ic, adjectivepre·ep·i·dem·ic, noun, adjectiveWords nearby epidemic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use epidemic in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for epidemic
epidemic
/ (ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk) /
adjective
(esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area
noun
a widespread occurrence of a diseasean influenza epidemic
a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasantan epidemic of strikes
Derived forms of epidemic
epidemically, adverbWord Origin for epidemic
C17: from French épidémique, via Late Latin from Greek epidēmia literally: among the people, from epi- + dēmos people
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
Scientific definitions for epidemic
epidemic
[ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk ]
An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time. See also endemic pandemic.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for epidemic
epidemic
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.