prevalence

[ prev-uh-luhns ]
See synonyms for prevalence on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the condition of being prevalent, or widespread: The study examines the prevalence of profanity in video games.

  2. the degree to which something is prevalent or widespread, especially a disease, disorder, or pathogen: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rising worldwide.

Origin of prevalence

1
First recorded in 1600–10; from French prévalence, from Latin praevalēntia, from praevalent-, stem of praevalēns (present participle of praevalēre “to be more able”) + -ia -y3; see prevail
  • Rarely prev·a·lent·ness [prev-uh-luhnt-nis] /ˈprɛv ə lənt nɪs/ .

Other words from prevalence

  • non·prev·a·lence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024