Epidemic Meaning and Definition
Epidemic
Pronunciation
/ɪˈpɪdɪmɪk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A widespread outbreak of a disease, especially one that affects a large number of people in a short period of time, causing significant harm or disruption to a community or society.
Examples
- The hospital was overwhelmed by the recent epidemic of the flu.
- The measles epidemic led to a government-imposed vaccination policy.
Synonyms
- Outbreak
- Pandemic
Antonyms
- Epidemic-free
- Healthy
Etymology
The word “epidemic” comes from the Greek words “epi” (meaning “upon” or “upon”) and “demos” (meaning “people”), literally meaning “upon the people.”
Usage Notes
Epidemic is often used to describe a sudden increase in the number of cases of a particular disease or illness, and can be used in both medical and non-medical contexts.
Cultural References
Epidemic has been featured in various forms of media, including films like “Contagion” and “Outbreak,” as well as in literature and music.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Epidemic” is often used in phrases such as “epidemic proportions” or “epidemic rates,” to describe the widespread and rapid spread of something.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases related to epidemic include pandemic, outbreak, and contagion.
Collocations
Epidemic is often collocated with words such as “disease,” “illness,” “outbreak,” and “pandemic.”
Frequency of Use
Epidemic is a relatively common word in modern language, particularly in the context of public health and medical information.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of epidemic include “epidemic,” “epedemic,” “epadmik,” and “epidinia.”