Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
epidemic
noun
/ˌɛp.ɪˈdɛm.ɪk/
Definition
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
Examples
- The flu epidemic last winter affected thousands of people.
- Health officials are monitoring the epidemic closely to prevent further spread.
Meaning
An epidemic refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population and geographical area.
Synonyms
- outbreak
- contagion
- plague
- scourge
