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
Examples of prevalence in a Sentence
the prevalence of rumors when hard information is withheld from the public
Recent Examples on the Web
Flu Map Shows Highest Levels Across US Newsweek has also covered the prevalence of influenza around the country, looking at the states reporting people with the highest number of influenza-like illness symptoms.
—
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Some initial surveys in the 1930s suggested nearly 54 percent of the population was infected, with prevalence in some areas as high as 76 percent.
—Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Eating nuts has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure while reducing the prevalence of diabetes.7
Seeds, like chia seeds and flaxseed, have many of the same health benefits.6
4.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 20 Feb. 2025
Ukraine has the highest prevalence of HIV in Europe and one of the highest outside Africa.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalence
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Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Some initial surveys in the 1930s suggested nearly 54 percent of the population was infected, with prevalence in some areas as high as 76 percent.
—Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Eating nuts has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure while reducing the prevalence of diabetes.7
Seeds, like chia seeds and flaxseed, have many of the same health benefits.6
4.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 20 Feb. 2025
Ukraine has the highest prevalence of HIV in Europe and one of the highest outside Africa.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalence
Cite this Entry
“Prevalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalence. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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