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

Derived 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

Chris Williams, fisheries section co-ordinator at the International Transport Workers Federation, said there was a "structural, systemic problem" in migrant worker recruitment in the fishing industry.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

There are approved systemic and topical options for a variety of species, including cattle, horses, small ruminants, cats and dogs, DeNotta said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

No one suggests Renton’s misbehavior is even partly attributable to poverty, abuse, neglect or any kind of systemic failure, nor is the judge who orders him to complete a rehab program a figure of fun.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

In their announcement of the 200th strike, the military posted on X, “SOUTHCOM is unwavering in its commitment to applying total systemic friction on the cartels.”

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

The self-disintegration of the whole animal that follows a systemic injection can be interpreted as a well- intentioned but lethal error.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• fundamental
• integral
• intrinsic