systemic

1 of 2

adjective

sys·​tem·​ic si-ˈste-mik How to pronounce systemic (audio)
: of, relating to, or common to a system: such as
a
: affecting the body generally
systemic diseases
b
: supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery
c
: of, relating to, or being a pesticide that as used is harmless to the plant or higher animal but when absorbed into its sap or bloodstream makes the entire organism toxic to pests (such as an insect or fungus)
Neonics … are what is known as "systemic" pesticides. That is, the neonics are applied directly to seeds, and those treated seeds then grow into the crops that contain neonicotinoids in their pollen, their nectar and, indeed, their every fiber.Joel Bleifuss
d
: fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice
Her story is one of hard-won resilience and a desire to fight against tremendous odds: the systemic poverty instigated and perpetuated by what her advocates describe as punitive government policy.Stephanie Convery
People are tired of marching. People are tired of hashtag protests. People want some systemic change.Rev. Tiffany Thomas
see also systemic racism
systemically adverb
Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method

a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps

Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations.

systemic

2 of 2

noun

: a systemic pesticide

Examples of systemic in a Sentence

Adjective The company made some systemic changes to the way it operated. The problem seems to be systemic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
So was Rangel’s experience a one-off, or is Alameda County again failing its residents on a systemic level? Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 This can be done by using a systemic insecticide through a soil drench. Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024 Regulators have brushed off the idea of any systemic threat to the banking system as a result of a few smaller bank failures, but there is a worst-case scenario that’s worth considering, according to John Sedunov, professor of finance at Villanova University. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 In health care, systemic resilience can only be achieved through a comprehensive approach to risk management and the empowering of dedicated and actionable regulatory oversight. Jonathan Slotkin and David Vawdrey, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 Songs From the Hole fully and passionately makes the case for rehabilitation, redemption and the power of forgiveness, but the systemic critique is fuzzier. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 Unfortunately, Steve was suffering from systemic arthritis that attacked his hips. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Problems in the homeowners insurance market pose a systemic threat to housing markets, and solving them will require extensive investments in mitigation. USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 In a community health setting, Pan began to see daily how a lack of insurance, limited income, systemic checkpoints, blockages in supply chains, and even family could stand in the way of access to care. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024
Noun
In addition, the use of broad-spectrum pesticides as a systemic applied to the soil or sprayed on plants often sets up gardeners for heavy infestations of spider mites. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 George Loewenstein, a titan of behavioral science and a co-author of Ariely’s masturbation paper, has refashioned his research program, conceding that his own work might have contributed to an emphasis on the individual at the expense of the systemic. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2023 Even before its shocking and infuriating final episode drives home the point, Last Call indicts a society whose systemic—and ongoing—homophobia, from the isolation of the closet to the prejudice embedded in public institutions, can have lethal consequences. Time, 7 July 2023 Art’s full accounting demands both: the human scale and the systemic; the power comes in superimposing one on the other, in appreciating the weight of each of those nearly two million souls against that of the power structure that frames their enclosure. Adam Bradley, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2022 To me, the word systemic means that it’s built into the institution. Anthony Leonardi, Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2020 This requires building an ecosystem that works to uplift diverse founders and individuals, but this has to work along two prongs—both the personal and the systemic. Karl Lokko, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2022 Alexis Oatman reports the event will help raise essential funds to support the organization’s ongoing mission to address and improve the systemic and community structures that lead to poor birth outcomes. cleveland, 10 Nov. 2022 This is an intentional leader who understands what zero tolerance actually means but has the systemic and leadership and compassion chops to bring everyone along. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'systemic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1803, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of systemic was in 1803

Dictionary Entries Near systemic

Cite this Entry

“Systemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systemic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

systemic

adjective
sys·​tem·​ic
sis-ˈtem-ik
: of, relating to, or common to a system: as
a
: of or relating to the body as a whole
a systemic disease
b
: concerned with the circulation that supplies blood to the bodily tissues through the aorta rather than the circulation involved in carrying blood through the pulmonary artery

Medical Definition

systemic

1 of 2 adjective
sys·​tem·​ic sis-ˈtem-ik How to pronounce systemic (audio)
: of, relating to, or common to a system: as
a
: affecting the body generally compare local
b
: supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery
c
: being a pesticide that as used is harmless to a higher animal or a plant but when absorbed into the bloodstream or the sap makes the whole organism toxic to pests (as cattle grubs, mites, or aphids)
systemically adverb

systemic

2 of 2 noun
: a systemic pesticide

More from Merriam-Webster on systemic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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