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
Other researchers have reported similar effects and argued for much more time outdoors and changes in early-age schooling to reduce myopia prevalence.
—
Andrew Herbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
All of those zones are under three percent prevalence.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last year that the prevalence of autism across all racial and ethnic groups is reaching parity.
—Wendy K. Chung, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024
The prevalence increases with age.2 Preadolescent acne happens when there is an increase in hormones and the production of sebum, an oily substance that can cause acne.
—Angela Palmer Updated, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2024
For example, the lung cancer rates in the U.K. and the U.S. declined after prevalence of smoking waned in those countries, but not until 20-25 years later.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
When the Washington Post asked experts about the prevalence of PMS in 1984, estimates ranged from 3% to 90% of women.
—Shalene Gupta, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
The prevalence of left-handedness varies in different parts of the world, with lower rates in Africa, Asia and the Middle East compared to Europe and North America, Francks said.
—Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Despite the prevalence of these diseases, people often experience prejudice, shame and discrimination, including from healthcare professionals.
—Dr. Tejaswi Kompala, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Andrew Herbert, Discover Magazine, 27 Apr. 2024
All of those zones are under three percent prevalence.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last year that the prevalence of autism across all racial and ethnic groups is reaching parity.
—Wendy K. Chung, STAT, 16 Apr. 2024
The prevalence increases with age.2 Preadolescent acne happens when there is an increase in hormones and the production of sebum, an oily substance that can cause acne.
—Angela Palmer Updated, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2024
For example, the lung cancer rates in the U.K. and the U.S. declined after prevalence of smoking waned in those countries, but not until 20-25 years later.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
When the Washington Post asked experts about the prevalence of PMS in 1984, estimates ranged from 3% to 90% of women.
—Shalene Gupta, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
The prevalence of left-handedness varies in different parts of the world, with lower rates in Africa, Asia and the Middle East compared to Europe and North America, Francks said.
—Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Despite the prevalence of these diseases, people often experience prejudice, shame and discrimination, including from healthcare professionals.
—Dr. Tejaswi Kompala, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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 3 May. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share