prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈpre-və-lənt 
ˈprev-lənt
1
a
: generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored : widespread
prevalent beliefs
Since ageism is so prevalent in society at large, it is hardly surprising to find ageism in popular culture …—
Arnold Arluke
Arnold Arluke
b
: existing or occurring frequently : common
The third most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide is that of vitamin A.—Sue Rodwell Williams
Sue Rodwell Williams2
: being in ascendancy : dominant
The prevalent view of Eastern Europe in the West is wrong.—John Lukacs
John Lukacs3
archaic
: powerful
prevalent
noun
prevalently
adverb
Examples of prevalent in a Sentence
Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are no more prevalent here than in most European countries.
—John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe.
—Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves.
—Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; …
—Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe.
—Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves.
—Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; …
—Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here
Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
Recent Examples on the Web
While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
As a result, illnesses commonly spread via milk became less prevalent.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
As the virus has mutated, the mRNA platform has allowed scientists to update COVID vaccines to better match the most prevalent strains.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Several factors drive the price of gold, many of which are prevalent in today's market.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
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Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
As a result, illnesses commonly spread via milk became less prevalent.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
As the virus has mutated, the mRNA platform has allowed scientists to update COVID vaccines to better match the most prevalent strains.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Several factors drive the price of gold, many of which are prevalent in today's market.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prevalent
Cite this Entry
“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prevalent
adjective
prev·a·lent
ˈprev(-ə)-lənt
: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area
prevalently
adverb
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