epidemic
UK: ˌepɪˈdemɪk | US: ˌepɪˈdemɪk
n. a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time
adj. (of a disease) occurring widely in a community at a particular time
adj. (figuratively) a sudden, widespread occurrence of a phenomenon (e.g., "an epidemic of violence")
The word "epidemic" traces back to Greek epidēmia ("presence in a people"), combining epi- (upon/among) and dēmos (people). Originally, it described diseases prevalent among a population (contrasted with endemic, which refers to persistent local presence). The suffix -ic marks it as an adjective. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe rapid spread beyond diseases (e.g., "an epidemic of rumors").
The city faced a measles epidemic last winter.
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in some countries.
Social media fueled an epidemic of misinformation.
Health officials worked to contain the epidemic.
The 1918 flu epidemic was one of history’s deadliest.