pandemic

[ pan-dem-ik ]
/ pænˈdɛm ɪk /

adjective

(of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area. Compare epidemic(def 1).
general; universal: pandemic fear of atomic war.

noun

a pandemic disease.

Origin of pandemic

First recorded in 1660–70; from Late Latin pandēm(us), from Greek pándēmos “common, public” ( pan- pan- + dêm(os) “the people” + -os adjective suffix) + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM pandemic

pan·de·mi·a [pan-dee-mee-uh] /pænˈdi mi ə/, noun pan·de·mic·i·ty [pan-duh-mis-i-tee] /ˌpæn dəˈmɪs ɪ ti/, noun in·ter·pan·dem·ic, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pandemic

endemic epidemic pandemic

Example sentences from the Web for pandemic

British Dictionary definitions for pandemic

pandemic
/ (pænˈdɛmɪk) /

adjective

(of a disease) affecting persons over a wide geographical area; extensively epidemic

noun

a pandemic disease

Word Origin for pandemic

C17: from Late Latin pandēmus, from Greek pandēmos general, from pan- + demos the people

Medical definitions for pandemic

pandemic
[ păn-dĕmĭk ]

adj.

Epidemic over a wide geographic area.

n.

A pandemic disease.

Scientific definitions for pandemic

pandemic
[ păn-dĕmĭk ]

An epidemic that spreads over a very wide area, such as an entire country or continent.

Cultural definitions for pandemic

pandemic

A widespread epidemic affecting a large part of the population.