Phenomenon or Process
pandemic Audio
pan·dem·ic
Subclass of:
Epidemic
Etymology:
Greek pan = all + demos = the people
Hence an infection affecting many of the population.
Definitions related to pandemics:
  • Epidemics of infectious disease that have spread to many countries, often more than one continent, and usually affecting a large number of people.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • (pandemic disorder) An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries, and usually affecting a large number of people. (A dictionary of epidemiology, edited for the International Epidemiological Association by John M. Last, Oxford University Press 2001)
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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