prevalence Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the quality of prevailing generally; being widespread
    • he was surprised by the prevalence of optimism about the future
  2. noun (epidemiology) the ratio (for a given time period) of the number of occurrences of a disease or event to the number of units at risk in the population
  3. noun a superiority in numbers or amount
    preponderance.
    • a preponderance of evidence against the defendant

WordNet

Prev"a*lence noun
Etymology
L. praevalentia: cf. F. prévalence. See Prevail.
Definitions
  1. The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception, or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor.
    The duke better knew what kind of argument were of prevalence with him. Clarendon.

Webster 1913