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

Irving then alerts us to the prevalence of bewitchment in the region, setting us up for the Gothic tale to follow. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

The prevalence of starwashing does not mean that all extraterrestrial endeavors should be scorned, said The Cool Down. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026

Meta recently agreed to pay nearly $17 billion in a major settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general that had sued the company for misrepresenting the prevalence of harm on apps like Facebook and Instagram. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Professor Malhotra’s research found that there is a higher prevalence of serious heart conditions in elite footballers, with an average of one in every 250 players. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

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