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View synonyms for

epidemic

[ep-i-dem-ik]

adjective

  1. Also epidemical (of a disease) affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent.

  2. extremely prevalent; widespread.



noun

  1. a temporary prevalence of a disease.

  2. a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something.

    an epidemic of riots.

epidemic

/ ˌɛɪˈɛɪ /

adjective

  1. (esp of a disease) attacking or affecting many persons simultaneously in a community or area

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a widespread occurrence of a disease

    an influenza epidemic

  2. a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasant

    an epidemic of strikes

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

epidemic

  1. An outbreak of a disease or illness that spreads rapidly among individuals in an area or population at the same time.

  2. See also endemic pandemic

epidemic

  1. A contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely among the population in an area. Immunization and quarantine are two of the methods used to control an epidemic.

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Other Word Forms

  • epidemically adverb
  • epidemicity noun
  • interepidemic adjective
  • preepidemic noun
  • ˌ辱ˈ𳾾 adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemic1

First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete epidem(y) (from Late Latin 辱ŧ, from Greek 辱ŧí “staying in one place, among the people,” equivalent to epi- epi- + ê(Dz) “people of a district” + -ia -y 3 ) + -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemic1

C17: from French é辱éܱ, via Late Latin from Greek 辱ŧ literally: among the people, from epi- + ŧDz people
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

CDC’s Division of Overdose Prevention, which is responsible for monitoring the drug epidemic, is marked for demolition too, despite having just reported the unprecedented reduction in overdose deaths.

From

The local authorities in Sarajevo have declared an epidemic, allowing the imposition of emergency measures, including a long overdue clean-up.

From

" worries me is we're in this form of epidemic, and we're not seeing it as an epidemic," Miss Lucas said.

From

During a child obesity epidemic in the US in 2006, Sesame Street aired Health Habits segments designed to teach kids about diet and exercise.

From

Sports betting is now at epidemic levels and appears in various commercials and program commentary throughout sports media as a display of odds changing throughout many games.

From

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epideicticepidemic encephalitis