epidemic Definition
- 1a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time
- 2a sudden, widespread occurrence of a particular undesirable phenomenon
Using epidemic: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "epidemic" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The COVID-19 epidemic has affected millions of people worldwide.
Example
The opioid epidemic is a major public health crisis in the United States.
Example
There was an epidemic of violence in the city last year.
Example
The epidemic of obesity is a growing concern in many countries.
epidemic Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with epidemic
Example
The Spanish flu was an epidemic disease that killed millions of people in the early 20th century.
Example
The epidemiologists used the epidemic curve to track the spread of the disease.
the minimum number of cases of a disease that must occur in a population for it to be considered an epidemic
Example
The health officials declared an epidemic after the number of cases exceeded the epidemic threshold.
Origins of epidemic
from French 'épidémique', from Greek 'epidēmia', meaning 'prevalence of an epidemic disease'
Summary: epidemic in Brief
The term 'epidemic' [ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk] refers to a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease or a particular undesirable phenomenon. It is often used to describe a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease or a problem in a community. Examples include the COVID-19 epidemic and the opioid epidemic. The term extends into phrases like 'epidemic disease,' 'epidemic curve,' and 'epidemic threshold.'