systemic

adjective

sys·tem·ic | \ si-ˈste-mik

Essential Meaning of systemic

1 formal : of or relating to an entire system The company made some systemic changes to the way it operated. The problem seems to be systemic.

2 medical : of, relating to, or affecting the entire body a systemic disease

Full Definition of systemic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or common to a system: such as

a : affecting the body generally systemic diseases

b : supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery

c : of, relating to, or being a pesticide that as used is harmless to the plant or higher animal but when absorbed into its sap or bloodstream makes the entire organism toxic to pests (such as an insect or fungus) Neonics … are what is known as "systemic" pesticides. That is, the neonics are applied directly to seeds, and those treated seeds then grow into the crops that contain neonicotinoids in their pollen, their nectar and, indeed, their every fiber.— Joel Bleifuss

d : fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice systemic poverty Our nation faces a fork in the road and a decision to either continue down the same path of systemic racism or to confront our past honestly.— Bree Newsome People are tired of marching. People are tired of hashtag protests. People want some systemic change.— Rev. Tiffany Thomas

systemic

noun

Definition of systemic (Entry 2 of 2)

: a systemic pesticide

Other Words from systemic Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide Example Sentences Learn More About systemic

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Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Adjective

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations.

Examples of systemic in a Sentence

Adjective The company made some systemic changes to the way it operated. The problem seems to be systemic.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The details of that agreement, publicly released for the first time along with the 11-page report Thursday, show how the district will be required to address the systemic problems moving forward. — Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 Oct. 2021 Pangaia, Parkes says, is examining systemic environmental problems, too. — Howie Kahn, WSJ, 18 Oct. 2021 Last month, a story published by WWNO/WRKF and ProPublica revealed stark racial disparities in shootings by deputies and systemic problems with transparency and accountability. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 16 Oct. 2021 Like all systemic problems, there are no quick fixes, but there are plenty of ways to get started. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2021 These systemic problems with mental healthcare have persisted for decades in the United States, resulting in inequities in access to and quality of care and lack of prioritization in creating local-level support systems. — Jodi Helmer, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021 When errors do occur, critics have insisted without any clear evidence that the mistakes are an indicator of larger, systemic problems. — John Myers, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2021 The recipients will receive the grants through the city’s partnership with Greenlining Institute, a local nonprofit focused on resolving systemic inequalities through policy work. — Justin Ray, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2021 In other parts of the world, rising consciousness around systemic inequalities have resulted in social uprisings and political shifts. — Se-woong Koo, Quartz, 7 Oct. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The second lists all the hassles and headaches of your job, from the petty to the systemic. — David G. Allan, CNN, 6 Sep. 2021 But experts are weighing possible explanations for at least a few of these trends — some biological, some behavioral and some systemic. — Amina Khan, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2021 Deploying patently anti-Asian rhetoric, Trump and his team started a systemic—and roundly condemned—campaign in April suggesting that the virus leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, the city in which it was first identified. — Philip Elliott, Time, 26 May 2021 The documentary explores the profound systemic and socio-political conditions that catalyzes the despair in the community. — Nelson Granados, Forbes, 13 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'systemic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More About systemic

Dictionary Entries Near systemic

systemed

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systemic arch

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Last Updated

25 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Systemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systemic. Accessed 25 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for systemic

systemic

adjective

sys·tem·ic | \ si-ˈste-mik

Kids Definition of systemic

: of or relating to the body as a whole systemic disease

systemic

adjective

sys·tem·ic | \ sis-ˈtem-ik

Medical Definition of systemic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or common to a system: as

a : affecting the body generally — compare local

b : supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery

c : being a pesticide that as used is harmless to a higher animal or a plant but when absorbed into the bloodstream or the sap makes the whole organism toxic to pests (as cattle grubs, mites, or aphids)