incidence

[ in-si-duh ns ]
/ ˈɪn sɪ dəns /

noun

the rate or range of occurrence or influence of something, especially of something unwanted: the high incidence of heart disease in men over 40.
a falling upon, affecting, or befalling; occurrence: The incidence of murder that Sunday afternoon shocked the sleepy village.
Optics, Physics.
  1. the striking of a ray of light, beam of electrons, etc., on a surface, or the direction of striking.
  2. angle of incidence(def 1).
the fact or the manner of being incident.
Geometry. partial coincidence of two figures, as of a line and a plane containing it.

Origin of incidence

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word incidentia. See incident, -ence

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH incidence

incidence incidents incidental

Example sentences from the Web for incidence

British Dictionary definitions for incidence

incidence
/ (ˈɪnsɪdəns) /

noun

degree, extent, or frequency of occurrence; amount a high incidence of death from pneumonia
the act or manner of impinging on or affecting by proximity or influence
physics the arrival of a beam of light or particles at a surface See also angle of incidence
geometry the partial coincidence of two configurations, such as a point that lies on a circle

Medical definitions for incidence

incidence
[ ĭnsĭ-dəns ]

n.

The extent or rate of occurrence, especially the number of new cases of a disease in a population over a period of time.
The arrival of radiation or a projectile at a surface.

Other words from incidence

inci•dent adj.