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

• epidemics
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• epidemics
  plural

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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

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Explanation

An epidemic is a disease that spreads rapidly among many people in a community at the same time. In the 1980s, the fast-spreading AIDS epidemic transformed life on our planet. Epidemic can be used figuratively to refer to something that spreads or grows rapidly: an epidemic of laziness has taken over the tenth grade. This word is from French épidémique, ultimately from Greek epidēmia "staying in one place, among the people." The related word pandemic refers to a disease that spreads throughout an entire country or throughout the world.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

epidemic epidemics

The premise is that this epidemic can, in large part, be tied to what he calls a “dishonest conversation.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

In this episode, Willa investigates why stores lock everything up now—and whether there’s really a shoplifting epidemic.

From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2026

The current Ebola epidemic, the DRC's 17th, quickly became the deadliest ever recorded in the central African country and remains uncontrolled despite months of efforts.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

The HIV epidemic was raging across the U.S.,

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

When an epidemic of mumps broke out in the school, Katie went into action against communicable diseases.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

More than half of the deaths were due to the collapse of the health system, along with epidemics and famine.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Taken together, the evidence suggests that some of the earliest known plague outbreaks may already have been as deadly as later historical epidemics, particularly for children.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026

Tung's rocky tenure was marked by the Asian Financial Crisis, two major epidemics, and historic protests which attracted criticism of his administration.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

The statement said the attacks were an alarming reminder of the risks faced by humanitarians when tackling epidemics and emergencies.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

Why is it that some ideas or behaviors or products start epidemics and others don’t?

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

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Related Words

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

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