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

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

The trial was selected as a "bellwether" proceeding, the outcome of which establishes a precedent for resolving other lawsuits that blame social media for fueling an epidemic of mental and emotional trauma.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Ferrer compared the current state of public understanding to the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

The findings signal “we have this epidemic of cardiovascular risk,” said Dr. Karen Joynt Maddox, a cardiologist, professor and health-policy researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

That’s what had happened to Father: they’d had an epidemic of cholera on the prison ship he’d been on.

From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

Related Words

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