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
Britt, of Alabama, said that tech companies should be prohibited from using algorithms to direct certain types of content to young people between the ages of 13 and 17, citing statistics showing the prevalence of suicidal ideation among teenagers and young women, in particular.
—
Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
While young people reported high levels of loneliness as well, those above the age of 45 reported a slightly higher prevalence of loneliness.
—Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
The Waterkeeper Alliance's study shows the prevalence of the harmful chemicals in U.S. surface water, a major source of the country's drinking water.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
And a study published in The Lancet that examined the prevalence of adolescent depression among English youth suggested that increased sedentary behavior in adolescence could affect a person’s mental health into adulthood.
—Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalence
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Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
While young people reported high levels of loneliness as well, those above the age of 45 reported a slightly higher prevalence of loneliness.
—Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
The Waterkeeper Alliance's study shows the prevalence of the harmful chemicals in U.S. surface water, a major source of the country's drinking water.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
And a study published in The Lancet that examined the prevalence of adolescent depression among English youth suggested that increased sedentary behavior in adolescence could affect a person’s mental health into adulthood.
—Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalence
Cite this Entry
“Prevalence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalence. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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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