rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryprevalenceHow common something is
noun

prevalence

PREV-uh-luns/ˈprevələns/

The extent to which something is common or present in a population.

Leaf spots on nearly every seedling reveal the condition's high prevalence in the tray.

A nursery tray of separate leafy seedlings shows the same conspicuous leaf-spot damage on nearly every plant, with only a few healthy seedlings remaining.
Etymology
preLatinbefore
+valLatinbe strong, have power
+enceLatinstate or condition

The Latin pieces evoke being stronger or more able than others. “Prevalence” first meant mastery or superior force, then shifted to the condition of being widespread or general.

In context

Moran CORE16:28
The conclusions is that the prevalence of retinopathy in Colombia in this study was lower compared to other Latin American countries
Subspecialty Grand Rounds - Global Outreach [ARCHIVE]

More examples

  • The prevalence of food allergies varies among age groups.
  • Researchers compare the prevalence of smoking in rural and urban communities.
  • The growing prevalence of smartphones changes how people communicate.

Forms

prevalence

prevalent adjective — Common or widespread within a particular group.

Similar words

commonness
Commonness describes how ordinary something is, without implying statistical measurement.
frequency
Frequency measures how often something occurs, not how widespread it is.