# incidence

/ˈɪnsədəns/ (US) · /ˈɪnsɪdəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/incidence
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. striking a surface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the way that light, heat, or an object hits a surface.

For teachers: the striking of a surface by a ray of light, a particle, or a projectile.

- The angle of incidence determines how much light is reflected off the water.
- By adjusting the angle of incidence, the researchers were able to minimize the amount of radiation absorbed by the protective shielding.

### 3. burden of a tax

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the way the burden of a tax falls on different people.

For teachers: the final distribution of the economic burden of a tax.

- The government is studying the incidence of the new carbon tax on low-income families.
- Economists debated the statutory versus the economic incidence of the corporate tax, noting that the ultimate burden often shifts to the consumer.

## Examples

- The incidence of the flu rises every winter.
- Public health officials reported a significant drop in the incidence of smoking-related illnesses following the new tax laws.
- While the overall prevalence of the condition remains high, the annual incidence has actually decreased due to more effective early intervention strategies implemented across the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.