ep ‧ i ‧ dem ‧ ic /ˌepəˈdemɪk◂, ˌepɪˈdemɪk◂/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: épidémique , from Greek epidemos 'visiting' ]
1 . a large number of cases of a disease that happen at the same time ⇨ pandemic :
Over 500 people died during last year’s flu epidemic.
epidemic of
an epidemic of cholera
2 . a sudden increase in the number of times that something bad happens
epidemic of
Britain is suffering an epidemic of petty crime.
—epidemic adjective [only before noun] :
Violent crime is reaching epidemic proportions in some cities.