systemic

American  

[si-stem-ik] / sɪˈstɛm ɪk /

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.

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systemic British  

/ -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

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noun

1. a systemic pesticide, fungicide, etc

Other Word Forms

• nonsystemic
  adjective
• systemically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of systemic

First recorded in 1795–1805; system + -ic

Explanation

Something that's systemic affects all parts of something. If every dog at doggy daycare has fleas, it's a systemic problem. The adjective systemic is often used to describe diseases or disorders; a systemic illness affects your whole body or an entire system — like your digestive system. Any kind of system can experience systemic problems. For example, crime is a systemic problem in a community because it affects everyone from individuals to families, businesses, and tourism, just to name a few groups harmed by the problem.

Example Sentences

"This is the culmination of 10 years of systemic failure to develop specialist provision for our most vulnerable children," he says.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Researchers developed a localized wound dressing carrying ABT-263 and reported that it reduced senescent cell burden, improved healing in diabetic mice, and showed no detectable systemic toxicity in that model.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

It is to make sure dangerous capabilities are identified, managed and constrained before they cause systemic harm.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Europe’s systemic risk overseer is considering an inquiry into private-credit investing, with an eye toward any risks those loans may pose to the European Union’s financial system.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

And she still saw a distinction between her momentary lapse of judgment and focus, and what science said was a widespread and systemic problem caused by cell phone use.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• fundamental
• integral
• intrinsic