epidemic
n. · adj.-
1 outbreak of disease (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Medicinea large number of people in a community catching the same disease at the same time.
an outbreak of an infectious disease that spreads rapidly among many individuals in a population at a specific time.
ExampleThe city took quick action to stop the flu epidemic before schools opened.
ExamplePublic health officials monitored the cholera epidemic closely, implementing strict water sanitation protocols to curb the rising infection rate.
UsageOften used with 'of' followed by the name of the disease.
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2 spread of something bad (n.) C1 Advanced Informalthe sudden and quick spread of something harmful or unwanted, like crime or a bad habit.
a sudden, widespread occurrence of a particular undesirable phenomenon or social problem.
ExampleThe town is facing an epidemic of car thefts this summer.
ExampleSociologists are investigating the current epidemic of loneliness among young adults living in major urban centres.
UsageCommonly used in journalism to describe social crises.
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3 widespread (adj.) C1 Advanced Formaldescribing something that is spreading very fast and affecting many people.
relating to or of the nature of an epidemic; extremely prevalent or widespread.
ExampleThe problem of fake news has reached epidemic proportions on social media.
ExampleThe corruption within the local government became epidemic, eventually leading to a complete overhaul of the administrative staff.
UsageUsually precedes the noun it modifies.
From French épidémique, from épidémie, from Medieval Latin epidēmia, reanalysis of plural Late Latin epidēmia, from Ancient Greek ἐπιδήμιος (epidḗmios), from ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + δῆμος (dêmos, “people”). By surface analysis, epi- (“on”) + demic (“of the people”).