incidence

[in-si-duhns]

noun

1. the rate or range of occurrence or influence of something, especially of something unwanted.

   the high incidence of heart disease in men over 40.

2. a falling upon, affecting, or befalling; occurrence.

   The incidence of murder that Sunday afternoon shocked the sleepy village.

3. Optics, Physics.

   1. the striking of a ray of light, beam of electrons, etc., on a surface, or the direction of striking.

   2. angle of incidence.

4. the fact or the manner of being incident.

5. Geometry.,  partial coincidence of two figures, as of a line and a plane containing it.

incidence

/ ˈɪnsɪdəns /

noun

1. degree, extent, or frequency of occurrence; amount

   a high incidence of death from pneumonia

2. the act or manner of impinging on or affecting by proximity or influence

3. physics the arrival of a beam of light or particles at a surface See also angle of incidence

4. geometry the partial coincidence of two configurations, such as a point that lies on a circle

Word History and Origins

Origin of incidence¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin incidentia. See incident, -ence

Example Sentences

Their analysis showed that people who routinely ate a Mediterranean or plant-based diet experienced a lower incidence of constipation.

Read more on Science Daily

“I worry that our patients are going to come in and want it, and it’s going to increase breast-cancer recurrences and incidence of new primary breast cancers.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, half of those diagnosed with lung cancer would never meet the strict screening criteria, and health professionals have been particularly baffled by the incidence rates among younger women who never smoked.

Read more on MarketWatch

Agriculture remains the top employer in Kern County, and "would be dramatically affected by increased incidence of drought, and unprecedented heat waves that are already hitting the region," he added.

Read more on Barron's

“I have no doubt that a real increase in incidence and prevalence of autism is occurring,” said Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician and director of the global public-health program at Boston College.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• extent 
• frequency 
• percentage 
• prevalence 
• proportion 
• rate