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
Examples of prevalence in a Sentence
the prevalence of rumors when hard information is withheld from the public
Recent Examples on the Web
Other researchers have reported similar effects and argued for much more time outdoors and changes in early-age schooling to reduce myopia prevalence.
—
Andrew Herbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
All of those zones are under three percent prevalence.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalence 
Andrew Herbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
All of those zones are under three percent prevalence.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prevalence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prevalence
Cite this Entry
“Prevalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalence. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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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
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