incidence

noun

in·​ci·​dence ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s How to pronounce incidence (audio)
-ˌden(t)s
1
a
: rate of occurrence or influence
a high incidence of crime
b
: an act or the fact or manner of falling upon or affecting : occurrence
2
b
: the arrival of something (such as a projectile or a ray of light) at a surface

Did you know?

The words incident, incidence, and instance may seem similar (and, in fact, incident and incidence are closely related), but they are applied in different ways. In current use, incidence usually means "rate of occurrence" and is often qualified in some way ("a high incidence of bear sightings"). Incident usually refers to a particular event, often something unusual or unpleasant ("many such incidents go unreported"). Instance suggests a particular occurrence that is offered as an example ("another instance of a simple change bringing real improvement"); it can also be synonymous with case ("many instances/cases in which the wrong form was submitted"). The plural incidences sometimes occurs in such contexts as "several recent incidences of bear sightings," but this use is often criticized as incorrect.

Examples of incidence in a Sentence

an increased incidence of diabetes a high incidence of criminal behavior
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After a prolonged period of low incidence rates following the emergence of COVID-19, M. pneumoniae cases are now on the rise. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 People have been less likely to die from cancer over the last few decades despite the increasing incidence rate. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024 Children under the age of five have the highest incidence rate of urticaria, and Black people are four to five times more likely to develop the condition than white people. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2024 The rationale behind this heterogeneity is to avoid such a policy's uneven incidence on households at different income levels. Simi Thambi​, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incidence 

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of incidence was in 1626

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Dictionary Entries Near incidence

Cite this Entry

“Incidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incidence. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

incidence

noun
in·​ci·​dence ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s How to pronounce incidence (audio)
-sə-ˌden(t)s
1
2
: rate of occurrence
a high incidence of illness

Medical Definition

incidence

noun
1
b
: the arrival of something (as a ray of light) at a surface
2
a
: an act or the fact or manner of occurring or affecting
diseases of domestic incidenceScience
b
: rate of occurrence or influence
especially : the rate of occurrence of new cases of a particular disease in a population being studied compare prevalence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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