Definition of epidemic
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time
typhoid was epidemic
2a
: excessively prevalent
b
: contagious sense 4
epidemic laughter
3
: characterized by very widespread growth or extent : of, relating to, or constituting an epidemic
the practice had reached epidemic proportions
epidemic
nounDefinition of epidemic (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time : an outbreak of epidemic disease
2
: an outbreak or product of sudden rapid spread, growth, or development
an epidemic of bankruptcies
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for epidemic
The first known use of epidemic was in 1603
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