Definitions for epidemic

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word epidemic

Princeton's WordNet

  1. epidemic(adj)


  2. epidemic(adj)


    "an epidemic outbreak of influenza"


  1. epidemic(Noun)

    A widespread disease that affects many individuals in a population.

  2. epidemic(Noun)


  3. epidemic(Adjective)

    Like or having to do with an epidemic; widespread

    Epidemic hysteria occurred upon the incumbentu2019s reelection.

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

Webster Dictionary

  1. Epidemic(adj)

    alt. of Epidemical

  2. Epidemic(noun)

    an epidemic disease

  3. Epidemic(noun)


  4. Origin: [Cf. Epidemy.]


  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.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Epidemic


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"epidemic." STANDS4 LLC, 2015. Web. 28 May 2015. <>.

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