Prevalence: meaning, definitions and examples

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prevalence

[ˈprɛvələns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in statistics

The prevalence refers to the proportion of a particular population found to be affected by a condition or characteristic at a particular time.

Synonyms

frequency, incidence, occurrence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prevalence	Used to describe how common or widespread something is within a specific area or group of people, often in the context of diseases or behaviors. The prevalence of diabetes in the elderly population is increasing The prevalence of smoking has decreased over the decades
frequency	Refers to how often something happens over a particular period of time. It is often used in everyday situations or scientific contexts. The frequency of bus service has increased to every 15 minutes Due to high frequency of exams, students are always stressed
occurrence	Describes the fact of something happening, especially an event or incident. Often used in more formal or detailed descriptions. The occurrence of natural disasters has been on the rise due to climate change The occurrence of errors in the system has significantly decreased after the update
incidence	Focuses on the number of new cases of a disease or event in a specific period of time. Used mainly in medical, scientific, or statistical contexts. The incidence of flu cases peaks in winter There has been a higher incidence of car accidents in the area recently

Examples of usage

The prevalence of diabetes in the United States is on the rise.
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among adolescents in the region.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in general

The fact or condition of being prevalent; commonness.

Synonyms

pervasiveness, ubiquity, widespreadness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prevalence	Use this word when referring to how common or widespread something is, often in a statistical or medical context. It frequently appears in discussions about diseases, behaviors, or conditions. The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Researchers are studying the prevalence of mental health issues among teenagers.
pervasiveness	This word is suitable for highlighting how something spreads throughout or is present everywhere within a particular environment or group. It implies a degree of thoroughness and intensity. The pervasiveness of social media in modern life is undeniable. The pervasiveness of corruption in the organization shocked everyone.
ubiquity	Ideal for describing something that seems to be present everywhere at the same time. It often carries a slight connotation of inevitability or unavoidability. The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed communication. The ubiquity of fast-food restaurants can be overwhelming in urban areas.
widespreadness	This is used to describe the large-scale distribution or occurrence of something across a wide area or among many people. It is usually neutral and straightforward. The widespreadness of the internet has changed the way we access information. There is a widespreadness of support for the new policy among the citizens.

Examples of usage

There was a prevalence of misinformation on social media.
The prevalence of fast food chains in urban areas is concerning.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'praevalent', which means 'to be strong' or 'to prevail'.
It entered English in the early 17th century, reflecting its roots in the concept of strength and dominance.

Public Health

In epidemiology, prevalence refers to the total number of cases of a disease in a given population at a specific time.
High prevalence of a health issue often leads to increased awareness and funding for research and treatment.

Sociology

Prevalence can denote social behaviors, such as the prevalence of smoking or drinking in different cultures.
Understanding prevalence helps sociologists analyze trends in society and suggest policy changes.

Education

In educational settings, prevalence may refer to the commonness of learning disabilities among students.
Teachers use prevalence data to identify needs for resources and support for affected students.

Psychology

In psychology, the prevalence of mental health issues like anxiety is often evaluated to improve public resources.
Research shows that awareness of the prevalence of mental health conditions can reduce stigma associated with them.

Translations

Translations of the word "prevalence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prevalência

🇮🇳 प्रसार

🇩🇪 Verbreitung

🇮🇩 prevalensi

🇺🇦 поширеність

🇵🇱 rozpowszechnienie

🇯🇵 普及

🇫🇷 prévalence

🇪🇸 prevalencia

🇹🇷 yaygınlık

🇰🇷 유병률

🇸🇦 انتشار

🇨🇿 prevalence

🇸🇰 prevalencia

🇨🇳 流行

🇸🇮 prevalenca

🇮🇸 útbreiðsla

🇰🇿 таралуы

🇬🇪 გავრცელება

🇦🇿 yayılma

🇲🇽 prevalencia

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,250 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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6247 dispersion
6248 harmful
6249 conclusive
6250 prevalence
6251 statue
6252 sustainable
6253 respectable
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