pandemic

[ pan-dem-ik ]

/ pænˈdɛm ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pandemic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

(of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area.

general; universal: pandemic fear of atomic war.

noun

a pandemic disease.

Nearby words

Origin of pandemic

1660–70; < Late Latin pandēm(us) < Greek pándēmos common, public (pan- pan- + dêm(os) the people + -os adj. suffix) + -ic

Related formspan·de·mi·a

[pan-dee-mee-uh] /pænˈdi mi ə/, nounpan·de·mic·i·ty

[pan-duh-mis-i-tee] /ˌpæn dəˈmɪs ɪ ti/, nounin·ter·pan·dem·ic, adjective

Can be confusedendemic epidemic pandemic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pandemic

The Ebola pandemic in West Africa is having a disastrous effect on tourism on the whole continent.
Ebola Could Deal a Death Blow to Africa’s Wildlife|Brandon Presser|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If there is a pandemic to be actually worried about, it's the pandemic of fear as we approach the midterm elections.
Ebola, ISIS, the Border: So Much to Fear, So Little Time!|Gene Robinson|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“There are sexy issues tied to this pandemic,” she says unapologetically.
“Dirty 30”: Talking AIDS To The Basketball Wives Set|Hugh Ryan|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once you start to look at this pandemic there's no way you would ever turn your back.
“Dirty 30”: Talking AIDS To The Basketball Wives Set|Hugh Ryan|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In 2009 nearly all influenza cases were caused by the pandemic H1N1 virus, driving the previously dominant H3N2 underground.
Flu Fears: The Race Between Pandemic Viruses and a Universal Vaccine|John M. Barry|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Uranian Aphrodite was distinguished from her Pandemic sister by chastened lust-repelling loveliness.
Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece|John Addington Symonds
Pandemic, pan-dem′ik, adj. incident to a whole people, epidemic.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
The disease is nearly always epidemic, though at intervals it appears to be pandemic and in certain districts almost endemic.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2|Various
The evidence that the great epidemics of influenza are due to some general and pandemic influence is conclusive.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for pandemic

pandemic

/ (pænˈdɛmɪk) /

adjective

(of a disease) affecting persons over a wide geographical area; extensively epidemic

noun

a pandemic disease

Word Origin for pandemic

C17: from Late Latin pandēmus, from Greek pandēmos general, from pan- + demos the 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

Word Origin and History for pandemic

pandemic

adj.

1660s, from Late Latin pandemus, from Greek pandemos "pertaining to all people; public, common," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + demos "people" (see demotic). Modeled on epidemic. The noun is first recorded 1853, from the adjective.

Medicine definitions for pandemic