American Dictionary

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Definition epidemic in American English

epidemic noun

[countable] noun
/ˌepɪˈdemɪk/
1

a situation in which a disease spreads very quickly and infects many people

Example

a flu epidemic

Example

an epidemic of typhoid

Synonyms and related words
1.1

a sudden increase in something bad or unpleasant that affects many people

Example

An epidemic of petty crime has hit the area.

Synonyms and related words
Definition epidemic in American English