# epidemiology

/ˌɛpəˌdɛmiˈɑɫədʒi/ (US) · /ˌɛpɪdˌɛmɪˈɒlədʒi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/epidemiology
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the study of how diseases spread and how to control them in large groups of people.

For teachers: the branch of medicine dealing with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

## Examples

- She decided to study epidemiology to help prevent future pandemics.
- Advances in epidemiology allow health officials to track the source of food poisoning outbreaks within hours.
- Modern epidemiology relies heavily on statistical modeling to predict how a virus might mutate as it moves through a population with varying levels of immunity.

## Usage notes

- Often used in academic or medical contexts; frequently paired with 'field of' or 'study of'.

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