epidemic
[ ep-i-dem-ik ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈdɛm ɪk /
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.
extremely prevalent; widespread.
noun
a temporary prevalence of a disease.
a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something: an epidemic of riots.
Words nearby epidemic
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, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for epidemically
But, as I have said, the "Tommies" all did verse—or worse—and the example was epidemically contagious.
War's Brighter Side|Julian Ralph.It existed in Michigan between 1868 and 1874, but only in the latter year epidemically, and not to a very great extent.
British Dictionary definitions for epidemically
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
Medicine definitions for epidemically
epidemic
[ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk ]
adj.
Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or population at the same time, as of a disease or illness.
n.
An outbreak or unusually high occurrence of a disease or illness in a population or area.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for epidemically
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.
Culture definitions for epidemically
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.