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
Large chemical drums found buried at a local park on Long Island have reignited anger and outrage from area officials and residents who have long feared that the park’s past may be linked to cancer’s prevalence in the community.
—
Cb Cotton, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2024
The new pricing system comes after weeks of criticism from local golfers, community members, golf influencers on social media, and The Times’ editorial board over the prevalence of a black market in tee times.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
As the prevalence of identity theft shows no signs of slowing, safeguarding your personal information is increasingly crucial, especially during travel.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
The prevalence of these errors has been confirmed by government agencies including the FTC.
—Adam Singer, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Experts said the shift might be partly the result of a growing prevalence of health complications among mothers.
—Gina Kolata Kim Raff, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The rare find could help scientists further understand how changes in the human diet have led to the prevalence of cavities today.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
As the prevalence of identity theft shows no signs of slowing and scammers become more emboldened by success, safeguarding your personal information is increasingly crucial, especially during travel.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Current estimates indicate the prevalence of my personality disorder to be about 5% of the population.
—Patric Gagne, TIME, 2 Apr. 2024
Cb Cotton, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2024
The new pricing system comes after weeks of criticism from local golfers, community members, golf influencers on social media, and The Times’ editorial board over the prevalence of a black market in tee times.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
As the prevalence of identity theft shows no signs of slowing, safeguarding your personal information is increasingly crucial, especially during travel.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
The prevalence of these errors has been confirmed by government agencies including the FTC.
—Adam Singer, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Experts said the shift might be partly the result of a growing prevalence of health complications among mothers.
—Gina Kolata Kim Raff, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The rare find could help scientists further understand how changes in the human diet have led to the prevalence of cavities today.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
As the prevalence of identity theft shows no signs of slowing and scammers become more emboldened by success, safeguarding your personal information is increasingly crucial, especially during travel.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Current estimates indicate the prevalence of my personality disorder to be about 5% of the population.
—Patric Gagne, TIME, 2 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 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
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