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prevalence

Noun

This term describes the state of being widespread or common. It carries a neutral to clinical tone, often used to describe the frequency of a trait, a belief, or a condition across a population. It focuses on the total existence of a phenomenon rather than the rate of new occurrences. In medical and epidemiological contexts, it is a precise technical term used to quantify the proportion of a population affected by a disease at a specific time. This distinguishes it from incidence, which refers only to new cases appearing over time.

Meanings

Noun

"The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly over the last decade."

Noun

In epidemiology, the total number of cases of a specific disease existing in a given population at a specific point in time or over a specified period.

"Researchers are studying the prevalence of the virus among elderly patients in rural communities."

Last Updated: June 14, 2026•Report an Error