rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryincidenceOccurrence and frequency
noun

incidence

IN-si-dens/ˈɪnsɪdəns/

The occurrence or frequency of something.

The calendars compare the incidence of thunderstorms in two months.

Compare two physical monthly weather calendars with the same date grid: thunderstorms recur on only a few days in one calendar and on many days in the other.
Etymology
inLatinon, upon
+cidLatinto fall
+enceLatinaction or state

The image of something ‘falling upon’ developed into happening or befalling. Incidence concerns such occurrences, with the selected sense focusing on how frequently they happen.

In context

The Texas Heart Institute14:02
… incidence is relatively high it occurs between 30 to 35 percent of patients and it can manifest itself in many different ways …
Cardiovascular Medicine and COVID-19 : Knowns and Unknowns - PerfCon2020

More examples

  • Better lighting reduced the incidence of falls.
  • The study compared disease incidence across regions.
  • The incidence of equipment failure rose with age.

Forms

incidence

Similar words

prevalence
Prevalence counts existing cases in a population; incidence concerns new occurrences over a period.
frequency
Frequency is how often something happens generally; incidence commonly measures occurrences in a population or period.