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

The prevalence of Zoom interviews has transformed eight-hour visits into three-hour calls. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2026

Those statistics reflect a range of factors, including land availability and the prevalence of large subdivision-style development in suburban areas, making direct comparisons imperfect. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026

The commission will investigate the nature, prevalence and drivers of antisemitism generally as well as the circumstances of the Bondi mass shooting, Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. —Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

The idea is that this process can help reduce the prevalence of conditions correlated with low calcium intake, including rickets in children and preeclampsia in pregnant women. —Anthea Levi, Health, 7 Jan. 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