systemic

[si-stem-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to a system, especially when affecting the entirety of a thing.

   systemic flaws in the design and construction of the vehicles.

2. relating to or noting a policy, practice, or set of beliefs that has been established as normative or customary throughout a political, social, or economic system: systemic racism.

   systemic inequality;

   systemic racism.

3. Physiology, Pathology.

   1. relating to or affecting the body as a whole.

   2. relating to or affecting a particular body system.

4. (of a pesticide) absorbed and circulated by a plant or other organism so as to be lethal to pests that feed on it.

systemic

/ -ˈstiː-, sɪˈstɛmɪk /

adjective

1. another word for systematic systematic

2. physiol (of a poison, disease, etc) affecting the entire body

3. (of a pesticide, fungicide, etc) spreading through all the parts of a plant and making it toxic to pests or parasites without destroying it

noun

1. a systemic pesticide, fungicide, etc

Other Word Forms

• systemically adverb
• nonsystemic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of systemic¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; system + -ic

Example Sentences

Also on Thursday, the inquiry heard there had been a "systemic shock" to children's mental health during the pandemic, according to Tamsin Newlove-Delgado, an expert in children and young people's mental health.

From BBC

The commissioner agreed that a range of factors that show systemic issues need to be rooted out, but stopped short of calling the issues institutional.

From BBC

As Commissioner, I have been candid about the longstanding systemic, cultural, leadership and regulatory failings that have allowed misogyny, racism and a lack of public service ethos to put down deep roots.

From BBC

And guest star Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, called out the nation’s systemic racism.

From Los Angeles Times

The UN experts said the international community could not "remain silent in the face of such systemic violations" and that states "must take concrete diplomatic action to pressure Iran to halt this execution spree".

From BBC

Related Words

• fundamental 
• integral 
• intrinsic