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

• 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

For these reasons, point-in-time counts underestimate the true prevalence of homelessness in the city. —Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025

Non-chocolate versions of these treats have been sold before, of course, but their sheer prevalence in the midst of a cocoa crisis is notable. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2025

Elsewhere during Last Week Tonight, Oliver discussed the prevalence of grassroots pushback toward ICE agents who show up to raid and disturb neighborhoods. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2025

In 2024, Miami Dade County had the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in the United States. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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