Definitions for epidemic
epi·dem·ic

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. epidemicadjective

   a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

2. epidemicadjective

   (especially of medicine) of disease or anything resembling a disease; attacking or affecting many individuals in a community or a population simultaneously

   "an epidemic outbreak of influenza"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. epidemicnoun

   A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population.

2. epidemicnoun

   An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period.

3. epidemicadjective

   Like or having to do with an epidemic; widespread

   Epidemic hysteria occurred upon the incumbent's reelection.

4. Etymology: From épidémique, from épidémie, from epidemia, from ἐπιδήμιος, from ἐπί + δῆμος.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Epidemic

   An epidemic (from Greek ἐπί epi "upon or above" and δῆμος demos "people") is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. For example, in meningococcal infections, an attack rate in excess of 15 cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks is considered an epidemic.Epidemics of infectious disease are generally caused by several factors including a change in the ecology of the host population (e.g. increased stress or increase in the density of a vector species), a genetic change in the pathogen reservoir or the introduction of an emerging pathogen to a host population (by movement of pathogen or host). Generally, an epidemic occurs when host immunity to either an established pathogen or newly emerging novel pathogen is suddenly reduced below that found in the endemic equilibrium and the transmission threshold is exceeded.An epidemic may be restricted to one location; however, if it spreads to other countries or continents and affects a substantial number of people, it may be termed a pandemic. The declaration of an epidemic usually requires a good understanding of a baseline rate of incidence; epidemics for certain diseases, such as influenza, are defined as reaching some defined increase in incidence above this baseline. A few cases of a very rare disease may be classified as an epidemic, while many cases of a common disease (such as the common cold) would not.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. epidemic

   An epidemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease or health-related issue in a community or a specific geographic area at a particular time. It refers to a significant surge in disease cases that exceeds the expected or normal levels within that population or area. Epidemics can be confined to one location, however, if they spread to other countries or continents and affect a substantial number of people, they can become a pandemic.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Epidemicadjective

   alt. of Epidemical

2. Epidemicnoun

   an epidemic disease

3. Epidemicnoun

   anything which takes possession of the minds of people as an epidemic does of their bodies; as, an epidemic of terror

4. Etymology: [Cf. Epidemy.]

WikidataRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Epidemic

   In epidemiology, an epidemic occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience. Epidemiologists often consider the term outbreak to be synonymous to epidemic, but the general public typically perceives outbreaks to be more local and less serious than epidemics. Epidemics of infectious disease are generally caused by a change in the ecology of the host population, a genetic change in the parasite population or the introduction of a new parasite to a host population. Generally, an epidemic occurs when host immunity to a parasite population is suddenly reduced below that found in the endemic equilibrium and the transmission threshold is exceeded. An epidemic may be restricted to one location; however, if it spreads to other countries or continents and affects a substantial number of people, it may be termed a pandemic. The declaration of an epidemic usually requires a good understanding of a baseline rate of incidence; epidemics for certain diseases, such as influenza, are defined as reaching some defined increase in incidence above this baseline. A few cases of a very rare disease may be classified as an epidemic, while many cases of a common disease would not.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Epidemic

   -al, ep-i-dem′ik, -al, adj. affecting a community at a certain time: general.—n. Epidem′ic, a disease falling on great numbers in one place, simultaneously or in succession.—adv. Epidem′ically.—n. Epidemiol′ogy, the science of epidemics. [Gr. epidēmos, general—epi, among, dēmos, the people.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Epidemic

   a name given to contagious diseases which, arising suddenly in a community, rapidly spread through its members, often travelling from district to district, until often a whole country is affected; the theory of the transmission of disease by microbes has largely explained the spread of such scourges, but the part which atmospheric and other physical, and perhaps psychic, causes play in these disorders is still matter of debate, especially as regards epidemic mental diseases. See Endemic.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. epidemic

   Song lyrics by epidemic -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by epidemic on the Lyrics.com website.

2. Epidemic

   Endemic vs. Epidemic -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Endemic and Epidemic.

Matched Categories

1. • Medicine

Anagrams for epidemic »

1. midpiece

How to pronounce epidemic?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say epidemic in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of epidemic in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of epidemic in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of epidemic in a Sentence

1. Rebecca Siegel:

   Much of the decline in incidence in older aged adults is because of increased screening, but the cause for rising incidence in younger age groups is still unknown, the obesity epidemic is probably contributing, but doesn't seem to be the sole cause.

2. Paul Hunter:

   Whilst association does not necessarily mean causation it is difficult to escape the conclusion that celebrations around the Euros have been an important factor in driving up the epidemic in the U.K..

3. Patsy Nakell:

   People sometimes are having to resort to these extreme choices between eating and taking life-saving medication, this is the global epicentre of the HIV epidemic and when you have a situation like this where people are struggling to have access to food and to clean water then you know (they) will resort to what we call negative coping mechanisms.

4. Hou Aiping:

   I won’t go out unless it’s absolutely necessary. This saves me from worry and saves me money too, even though the epidemic is contained, and I always wear my mask, I can’t guarantee I’ll be completely safe.

5. Dennis Herrera:

   E-cigarettes are a product that, by law, are not allowed on the market without FDA review. For some reason, the FDA has so far refused to follow the law, now, youth vaping is an epidemic.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=epidemic
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Epidemic
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemic
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=epidemic
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=epidemic
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Epidemic