incidence

noun

in·​ci·​dence ˈin(t)-sə-dən(t)s 

-ˌden(t)s

1

a

: rate of occurrence or influence

a high incidence of crime

b

: an act or the fact or manner of falling upon or affecting : occurrence

2

a

: angle of incidence

b

: the arrival of something (such as a projectile or a ray of light) at a surface

Did you know?

The words incident, incidence, and instance may seem similar (and, in fact, incident and incidence are closely related), but they are not used identically. In current use, incidence usually means "rate of occurrence" and is often qualified in some way ("a high incidence of diabetes"). Incident usually refers to a particular event, often something unusual or unpleasant ("many such incidents go unreported"). Instance suggests a particular occurrence that is offered as an example ("another instance of bureaucratic bumbling"); it can also be synonymous with case ("many instances in which the wrong form was submitted"). The plural incidences sometimes occurs in such contexts as "several recent incidences of crime," but this use is often criticized as incorrect.

Examples of incidence in a Sentence

an increased incidence of diabetes

a high incidence of criminal behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

The new report details how many low-income countries have high cancer death rates despite low cancer incidence, largely due to a lack of access to screening tools to spot the disease early and advanced treatment services. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

More Younger People Are Getting Colon Cancer Studies also reveal that colon cancer incidence is rising among younger adults, specifically those under age 50. —Lipi Roy, Md, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Some studies show that this strain of probiotics may also reduce the incidences of other allergic manifestations, such as asthma and eczema,12 in children with a cow’s milk allergy. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024

Continue efforts to reduce the incidence of disabling injury. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024

Moderate consumption of red wine may also be linked to lower incidence of coronary heart disease. —Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024

According to the study, San Bernardino had the highest incidence of fatal accidents in the evening. —The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2024

International research has revealed that Australia has a higher incidence of fatal shark bites, particularly in isolated regions where the risk of fatalities is significantly elevated. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers and African American men have the highest incidences of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society's website. —Journal Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing incidence

• angle of incidence

Kids Definition

incidence

noun

in·​ci·​dence ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s 

-sə-ˌden(t)s

1

: angle of incidence

2

: rate of occurrence

a high incidence of illness

Medical Definition

incidence

noun

in·​ci·​dence ˈin(t)-səd-ən(t)s, -sə-ˌden(t)s 

1

a

: angle of incidence

b

: the arrival of something (as a ray of light) at a surface

2

a

: an act or the fact or manner of occurring or affecting

diseases of domestic incidence

—Science

b

: rate of occurrence or influence

especially : the rate of occurrence of new cases of a particular disease in a population being studied compare prevalence