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

Despite the prevalence of readily available information on pricing and market fluctuations as well as details that make some watches stand out, everyone agreed the excitement around collecting is still alive and well. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2026

Disease prevalence was far higher than anticipated. —Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Now the agency has approved its use for cerebral folate deficiency—a rare genetic condition that may affect fewer than one in a million people, though its true prevalence is unknown. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026

Retail traders' role Part of the selloff can also be explained by the prevalence of small investors in Korea. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Mar. 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