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 of prevalence

• frequency
• occurrence
• frequence

Examples of prevalence in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This prevalence of fecal-oral parasites at Vindolanda is similar to other Roman military sites including Valkenburg on Rhine in the Netherlands, Carnuntum in Austria, and Bearsden in nearby Scotland. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025

The source said the growing prevalence of lone actors and sleeper cells poses a significant challenge to Western security services, as individuals with minimal resources can still carry out deadly attacks and trigger copycat violence. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025

Set a schedule based on seasonality and the prevalence of weeds in your garden. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025

The state, well-known for its large families, has a high fertility rate among young women (97 births per 1,000) and the greatest prevalence of young women, who comprise roughly 12% of the population. —Addy Bink, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prevalence

• benevolence
• malevolence
• seroprevalence

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