Word parts
What it means
An epidemic is larger than usual for that place and time, as with a bad influenza season or a measles outbreak in an unvaccinated community. When it spreads around the world, it becomes a pandemicpan-DEM-ikAn outbreak of disease that spreads across several countries or continents and affects very many people.pan- alldem/o people-ic relating toFull entry . A disease that is always present at a steady level is endemicen-DEM-ikDescribing a disease that is always present at a steady, expected level in a certain area or group.en- indem/o people-ic relating toFull entry .
Remember it
Endemic is always here; an epidemic is a spike here; a pandemic is everywhere.
At a glance
| Spanish | epidemia |
|---|---|
| Also written | epidemics |
Easy to confuse with
Related terms
public health
The work of protecting and improving the health of whole communities and populations.
pandemic
An outbreak of disease that spreads across several countries or continents and affects very many people.
endemic
Describing a disease that is always present at a steady, expected level in a certain area or group.