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
After 1991, there was a 68% reduction of hepatitis B prevalence among children within 10 years, and a 82% decline by 2014 in the United States, according to the CDC.
—
Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Information includes the prevalence of rabies, whether a robust surveillance and prevention program is in place, and whether treatment is readily available if exposure occurs.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
However, a 2024 survey of 6,000 travelers in Southeast Asia found that more than 90% said the prevalence of guns in America influenced their decision to visit.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The idea is that this process can help reduce the prevalence of conditions correlated with low calcium intake, including rickets in children and preeclampsia in pregnant women.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prevalence
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Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Information includes the prevalence of rabies, whether a robust surveillance and prevention program is in place, and whether treatment is readily available if exposure occurs.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
However, a 2024 survey of 6,000 travelers in Southeast Asia found that more than 90% said the prevalence of guns in America influenced their decision to visit.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
The idea is that this process can help reduce the prevalence of conditions correlated with low calcium intake, including rickets in children and preeclampsia in pregnant women.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 17 Sep. 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 Sep. 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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