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

“These disparities stem from systemic barriers such as financial limitations, uneven program quality, outdated physical education standards and the lack of a coordinated statewide strategy.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, he said he sees no “systemic risk” posed by First Brands.

Read more on MarketWatch

“Banks are very well positioned to absorb any losses at this point. It’s more of an earnings headwind than any sort of systemic risk that we’re looking at in the short term.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When the mice were systemically exposed to melanoma cells to mimic metastasis, none of the nanoparticle-vaccinated mice developed lung tumors, while every other mouse did.

Read more on Science Daily

Without these systemic changes, AI risks creating a two-tier workforce where a small group captures most opportunities and everyone else falls further behind.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fundamental 
• integral 
• intrinsic