incidence
Americannoun
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the rate or range of occurrence or influence of something, especially of something unwanted.
the high incidence of heart disease in men over 40.
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a falling upon, affecting, or befalling; occurrence.
The incidence of murder that Sunday afternoon shocked the sleepy village.
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Optics, Physics.
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the striking of a ray of light, beam of electrons, etc., on a surface, or the direction of striking.
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the fact or the manner of being incident.
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Geometry. partial coincidence of two figures, as of a line and a plane containing it.
noun
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degree, extent, or frequency of occurrence; amount
a high incidence of death from pneumonia
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the act or manner of impinging on or affecting by proximity or influence
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physics the arrival of a beam of light or particles at a surface See also angle of incidence
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geometry the partial coincidence of two configurations, such as a point that lies on a circle
Etymology
Origin of incidence
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin incidentia. See incident, -ence
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The researchers noted that these results align with findings from a similar study they previously conducted in Massachusetts, which found higher cancer incidence among people living closer to nuclear facilities.
From Science Daily
The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world, with around 2,700 people diagnosed each year – about 50 of those are in Northern Ireland.
From BBC
It found that 94% of the tariff incidence was borne by the U.S. businesses and consumers in the first eight months of 2025.
From Barron's
The incidence of dementia among the elderly has fallen sharply in recent decades, several studies have found.
What we’re going to have is a real-world experience of when unvaccinated people get measles, what is the new incidence of hospitalization?
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
