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
Details and deep dives Hoenig and her colleagues analyzed the survey data each year and put out detailed reports on the prevalence of mental health problems and substance use.
—
Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 May 2025
One year later, the Primetime Emmy Awards launched its first reality-centric category — Outstanding Reality Program — but as the prevalence of reality TV kept growing, so did the Emmy opportunities.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 May 2025
Shifting values in the Philippines Philippine society places great importance on childbearing, say researchers Anthony Luis B. Chua, Jennifer Watling Neal, and Zachary P. Neal in their 2025 study on the prevalence of child-free women in the Philippines from 1993 to 2022.
—Maro B. Enriquez, Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 2025
Just this month, The New York Times published an article on the prevalence of professors using ChatGPT on campuses.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalence
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Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 May 2025
One year later, the Primetime Emmy Awards launched its first reality-centric category — Outstanding Reality Program — but as the prevalence of reality TV kept growing, so did the Emmy opportunities.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 May 2025
Shifting values in the Philippines Philippine society places great importance on childbearing, say researchers Anthony Luis B. Chua, Jennifer Watling Neal, and Zachary P. Neal in their 2025 study on the prevalence of child-free women in the Philippines from 1993 to 2022.
—Maro B. Enriquez, Christian Science Monitor, 27 May 2025
Just this month, The New York Times published an article on the prevalence of professors using ChatGPT on campuses.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 27 May 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 5 Jun. 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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