pandemic
pan-DEH-mihk
Pandemic (adj) means describing a disease that has spread across a wide geographic area, affecting a large part of the population. Example: “The virus was declared pandemic once it had spread to multiple continents.”
adj
1
Describing a disease that has spread across a wide geographic area, affecting a large part of the population.
"The virus was declared pandemic once it had spread to multiple continents."
noun
1
An outbreak of a disease that spreads across countries or continents and affects a large number of people.
"The COVID-19 pandemic changed how people work and travel."
"Historians still study the 1918 flu pandemic for lessons on public health."
How to use pandemic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disease outbreak so widespread it affects multiple countries or the whole world, as opposed to a more localised "epidemic."
Common mistake
A pandemic is broader than an epidemic — an epidemic is confined to one region or country, while a pandemic spans multiple countries or continents.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
global pandemic
declare a pandemic
pandemic response
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Word forms
- Plural
- pandemics
- Comparative
- more pandemic
- Superlative
- most pandemic
Fill the gap
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The virus was declared _____ once it had spread to multiple continents.
Etymology
From Greek pandemos, "of all the people" (pan- "all" + demos "the people"), combined with the adjective-forming suffix "-ic."
Synonyms
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global outbreak
worldwide epidemic
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for pandemic
See all rhymes for pandemic →Frequently asked questions
What does “pandemic” mean?
The word “pandemic” means describing a disease that has spread across a wide geographic area, affecting a large part of the population. In plain terms, a disease outbreak so widespread it affects multiple countries or the whole world, as opposed to a more localised "epidemic.".
How do you pronounce “pandemic”?
“Pandemic” is pronounced pan-DEH-mihk (/pænˈdɛmɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “pandemic” in a sentence?
Here is “pandemic” used in a sentence: “The virus was declared pandemic once it had spread to multiple continents.”
What part of speech is “pandemic”?
Depending on how it is used, “pandemic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “pandemic” come from?
The word “pandemic” comes from Greek. From Greek pandemos, "of all the people" (pan- "all" + demos "the people"), combined with the adjective-forming suffix "-ic.".
Is “pandemic” a common word?
“Pandemic” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pandemic” have?
“Pandemic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: describing a disease that has spread across a wide geographic area, affecting a large part of the population.
What is the difference between a "pandemic" and an "epidemic"?
A pandemic is an outbreak of disease that spreads across countries or continents and affects a large number of people, while an epidemic is typically confined to a more limited region or population. The key distinction is geographic scale: pandemics cross international or continental boundaries, whereas epidemics don't.
What is the difference between "pandemic" and "endemic"?
A pandemic describes a disease spreading widely across a large geographic area and population, while "endemic" describes a disease that is consistently present within a specific region or community at a steady, expected level. Endemic diseases don't necessarily spread rapidly or widely; they simply persist.
Can "pandemic" be used as both a noun and an adjective?
Yes; as a noun, "pandemic" refers to the outbreak itself, as in "the pandemic affected millions." As an adjective, it describes a disease with that wide-reaching characteristic, as in "a pandemic illness."
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