epidemic

[ ep-i-dem-ik ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈdɛm ɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR epidemic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

Also ep·i·dem·i·cal. (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. Compare pandemic(def 1).
extremely prevalent; widespread.

noun

a temporary prevalence of a disease.
a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something: an epidemic of riots.

Origin of epidemic

First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete epidem(y) (from Late Latin epidēmia, from Greek epidēmía “staying in one place, among the people,” equivalent to epi- epi- + dêm(os) “people of a district” + -ia -y3) + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM epidemic

ep·i·dem·i·cal·ly, adverb ep·i·de·mic·i·ty [ep-i-duh-mis-i-tee] /ˌɛp ɪ dəˈmɪs ɪ ti/, noun in·ter·ep·i·dem·ic, adjective pre·ep·i·dem·ic, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH epidemic

endemic epidemic pandemic

Words nearby epidemic

epicycloidal wheel, epicystitis, epicystotomy, epidaurus, epideictic, epidemic, epidemic encephalitis, epidemic gastroenteritis virus, epidemic hemoglobinuria, epidemic hemorrhagic fever, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis

Content related to epidemic

“Epidemic” vs. “Pandemic” vs. “Endemic”: What Do These Terms Mean? It's unsurprisingly easy to confuse these two words, but we're here with a handy rule of thumb to help you learn the difference.
READ MORE
Dictionary.com Adds Coronavirus Words To The Dictionary We've updated Dictionary.com with some of the new coronavirus words and senses to help you stay informed and safe during these unprecedented times.
READ MORE

Words related to epidemic

infectious, endemic, contagious, contagion, scourge, rash, wave, spread, plague, outbreak, pest, sweeping, catching, pandemic, general, pestilence, growth, upsurge, communicable, prevailing

Example sentences from the Web for epidemic

British Dictionary definitions for epidemic

epidemic
/ (ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk) /

adjective

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

noun

a widespread occurrence of a disease an influenza epidemic
a rapid development, spread, or growth of something, esp something unpleasant an epidemic of strikes

Derived forms of epidemic

epidemically, adverb

Word Origin for epidemic

C17: from French épidémique, via Late Latin from Greek epidēmia literally: among the people, from epi- + dēmos people

Medical definitions for epidemic

epidemic
[ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk ]

adj.

Spreading rapidly and extensively by infection and affecting many individuals in an area or population at the same time, as of a disease or illness.

n.

An outbreak or unusually high occurrence of a disease or illness in a population or area.

Scientific definitions for epidemic

epidemic
[ ĕp′ĭ-dĕm′ĭk ]

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

Cultural definitions for epidemic

epidemic

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.