epidemiology

[ ep-i-dee-mee-ol-uh-jee, -dem-ee- ]

/ ˌɛp ɪˌdi miˈɒl ə dʒi, -ˌdɛm i- /

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See synonyms for epidemiology on Thesaurus.com

noun

the study, assessment, and analysis of public health concerns in a given population; the tracking of patterns and effects of diseases, environmental toxins, natural disasters, violence, terrorist attacks, etc.: Without the profiles gleaned through epidemiology, our health agencies would be at a terrible loss when something like COVID-19 emerges.

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Origin of epidemiology

First recorded in 1870–75; epidemi(c) + -o- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM epidemiology

ep·i·de·mi·o·log·i·cal

[ep-i-dee-mee-uh-loj-i-kuhl, -dem-ee-], /ˌɛp ɪˌdi mi əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl, -ˌdɛm i-/, adjectiveep·i·de·mi·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverbep·i·de·mi·ol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby epidemiology

epideictic, epidemic, epidemic encephalitis, epidemic meningitis, epidemic parotitis, epidemiology, epidendrum, epidermis, epidermolysis bullosa, epidiascope, epididymis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use epidemiology in a sentence

Albert Ko is a professor and chair of epidemiology of microbial diseases at the Yale School of Public Health.
Amid vaccine trials, the FDA is on trial itself|jakemeth|September 24, 2020|Fortune
“That’s way too slow,” said George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine.
Poorly Protected Postal Workers Are Catching COVID-19 by the Thousands. It’s One More Threat to Voting by Mail.|by Maryam Jameel and Ryan McCarthy|September 18, 2020|ProPublica
Albert Ko is professor and department chair, epidemiology of microbial disease, at Yale School of Public Health, and professor of infectious diseases at Yale School of Medicine.
On COVID-19 vaccines, Big Pharma knows to just say ‘no’|matthewheimer|September 11, 2020|Fortune
We brought in scores of experts from infectious disease, epidemiology, public health, laboratory medicine, all these different areas to try to help us design and prepare what we think is the most up-to-date information.
Why Can’t Schools Get What the N.F.L. Has? (Ep. 431)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 10, 2020|Freakonomics

In cities across the US—ranging from Boston, Massachusetts in the northeast to Las Vegas, Nevada in the southwest—scientists are working with public health officials to conduct wastewater-based epidemiology.
Cities are using poop to look for early Covid-19 outbreaks|Katherine Ellen Foley|September 3, 2020|Quartz
For an article in the Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, the author must fork over $650 for “handling.”
No, Stem Cells Don't Cause Autism|Kent Sepkowitz|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cuse: From a story standpoint, I felt the critical goal in the first part of the show was to focus on the epidemiology.
Vampires without Glitter or Girl Problems: Inside Guillermo del Toro’s ‘The Strain’|Andrew Romano|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The epidemiology of polio is simple to understand—as simple as seeing the inevitability of the major crisis we have before us.
U.N. Calls Middle East Polio Outbreak ‘Greatest Polio Challenge in History’|Kent Sepkowitz|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That brings us to the usual problem: cancer epidemiology is extremely complex.
Michael Douglas Says Cunnilingus Caused His Oral Cancer. Really?!|Kent Sepkowitz|June 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Epidemiology of Gestational Weight Gain and Body Weight Changes After Pregnancy.
Will I Get Fat? 15 Signs You'll Gain Weight|Anneli Rufus|November 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The work of the modern fathers of epidemiology was consciously based on Hippocrates.
The Legacy of Greece|Various
It is in this chapter that the epidemiology comes into closest contact with social and economic history.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
Its place is indeed unique among epidemic diseases; it is the oldest and most obdurate of all the problems in epidemiology.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
He saw that influenza was the crux of epidemiology, and paid special attention to it.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
This theory was based upon the geographical distribution and epidemiology of the disease.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley

British Dictionary definitions for epidemiology

epidemiology

/ (ˌɛpɪˌdiːmɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the branch of medical science concerned with the occurrence, transmission, and control of epidemic diseases

Derived forms of epidemiology

epidemiological (ˌɛpɪˌdiːmɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveepidemiologically, adverbepidemiologist, noun

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