epidemic

American  

[ep-i-dem-ik] / ˌɛp ɪˈdɛm ɪk /

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.

2. extremely prevalent; widespread.

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noun

1. a temporary prevalence of a disease.

2. a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something.

   an epidemic of riots.

epidemic British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk /

adjective

1. (esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area

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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

epidemic Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk /

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 pandemic

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epidemic Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• epidemically adverb
• epidemicity noun
• interepidemic adjective
• preepidemic noun

Etymology

Origin of epidemic

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

Example Sentences

The peak popularity of the splitter coincided with the initial phase of the elbow-injury epidemic that has plagued the sport for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, chronic pain remains a widespread and costly condition, often described as a 'silent epidemic.'

From Science Daily

"I know there's sort of a fly-tipping epidemic," he said, "but that takes the biscuit, doesn't it?"

From BBC

Each time he announces a consequential decision, the report found, an “epidemic of suspicious trading” occurs just before the news would affect the markets.

From Salon

Fear, misinformation and stigma shaped public attitudes, while the epidemic continued to claim lives.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• contagion
• outbreak
• pest
• plague
• rash
• scourge
• spread
• wave