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

Example Sentences

"Seeing both central nervous system changes in brain scans and systemic changes in blood chemistry underscores that these mind-body practices are acting on a whole-body scale."

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

The growth of private credit reflects a shift away from traditional credit, the analysts write, adding that “the total stock of riskier corporate borrowing has not expanded to levels that would suggest broad-based systemic vulnerability.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

"We need to recognise this for what it is. A systemic issue. A growing issue. And one that demands a co-ordinated response across government, policing and industry," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Raman was labeled a “progressive LA City Councilmember focused on housing affordability, homelessness and systemic reform,” while Bass was “incumbent mayor of Los Angeles, veteran legislator, focused on homelessness.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

What may have looked like separate events were all evidence of seismic and systemic social change.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• fundamental
• integral
• intrinsic