1
: growing or existing in a certain place or region
endemic diseases
endemic wildlife
—often + to or inA wide variety of animal and plant species are endemic to this area.
The disease is endemic in parts of northern Europe.
2
: common in a particular area or field
—often + to or in
A distrust of strangers is endemic in/to this community.
Sentimentality is endemic to that style of writing.
Cite this Entry
“Endemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/endemic. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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