prevalence

noun

prev·​a·​lence ˈpre-və-lən(t)s 

ˈprev-lən(t)s

1

: the quality or state of being prevalent

2

: the degree to which something is prevalent

especially : the percentage of a population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time

Synonyms

• commonness
• frequence
• frequency
• frequentness

Examples of prevalence in a Sentence

the prevalence of rumors when hard information is withheld from the public

Recent Examples on the Web

Trenton, burdened by high levels of poverty and crime, faces unique financial challenges in funding public safety due to a diminished property tax base, largely caused by the prevalence of state government buildings. —Matthew Impelli, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

At the county-run zoo, Higgins said the no-plastic policy hasn't changed prices — a testament to the prevalence of alternative products compared to just a few years ago. —Martin Vassolo, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024

In late 2020, Congress passed the No Surprises Act, which aimed to cut down on the prevalence of surprise medical bills from providers outside of a patient’s insurance network. —Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024

The prevalence of chronic diseases, which last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention, is a real problem in the U.S. An increasing share of people in America are dealing with multiple chronic conditions, with roughly 42% having two or more, according to the CDC. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prevalence

noun

prev·​a·​lence ˈprev(-ə)-lən(t)s 

1

: the state of being prevalent

2

: the degree to which something is prevalent

especially : the part of a population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time

Medical Definition

prevalence

noun

prev·​a·​lence ˈprev(-ə)-lən(t)s 

: the percentage of a population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time compare incidence sense 2b