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
Your doctor can help decide if that tactic is right for you, depending on factors like the prevalence of disease-carrying ticks in your area, the circumstances of your bite, and your personal health profile.
—
Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 31 May 2024
Antipsychotic treatment resistance in first-episode psychosis: prevalence, subtypes and predictors.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalence 
Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 31 May 2024
Antipsychotic treatment resistance in first-episode psychosis: prevalence, subtypes and predictors.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevalence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prevalence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prevalence
Cite this Entry
“Prevalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalence. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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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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