epidemic

[US]/ˌepɪˈdemɪk/
[UK]/ˌepɪˈdemɪk/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. prevalent; infectious
n. an outbreak of a contagious disease; a trend or fashion that spreads widely

Phrases & Collocations

epidemic situation

epidemic prevention

epidemic disease

epidemic encephalitis b

epidemic hemorrhagic fever

epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis

cholera epidemic

Example Sentences

the epidemic was on the wane.

an epidemic of violent crime.

an epidemic outbreak of influenza.

an epidemic of sylvatic plague among prairie dogs.

The epidemic centered in the urban areas.

The epidemic swept off most of the villagers.

to delimit the epidemic area and the protection area

In a worst-case scenario, the disease will reach epidemic proportions.

militant activity had assumed epidemic proportions.

shoplifting has reached epidemic proportions.

they were visited with epidemics of a strange disease.

During the epidemic people were dropping like flies.

a rampant epidemic; rampant corruption in city government.

Real-world Examples

It was the largest epidemic in history.

Source: CNN Selected November 2015 Collection

Especially among women, there is an epidemic of feeling overwhelmed.

Source: Modern University English Intensive Reading (2nd Edition) Volume 2

Stopping this epidemic in women and men is everybody's business.

Source: Easy Learning of Medical English

There might be an epidemic in meaninglessness.

Source: Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

What they will see is an emerging epidemic.

Source: 2010 Edition Level 2 Interpretation Practice Textbook

Now, how about when a pandemic becomes an epidemic?

Source: English PK Platform - Authentic American English Audio Version

Instead of arms outstretched, there was an epidemic of finger-pointing.

Source: The Power of Art - Jacques-Louis David

Medics warn of impending cholera epidemic.

Source: NPR News January 2014 Compilation

One fall is an accident, three an epidemic.

Source: 2 Broke Girls Season 5

Colombia Health officials said the country's Zika epidemic has ended.

Source: BBC Listening Collection July 2016

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