Dictionary.com

epidemiology

[ ep-i-dee-mee-ol-uh-jee, -dem-ee- ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˌdi miˈɒl ə dʒi, -ˌdɛm i- /
Save This Word!

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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

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

How to use epidemiology in a sentence

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

Scientific definitions for epidemiology

epidemiology
[ ĕp′ĭ-dē′mē-ŏlə-jē ]

The scientific study of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK