incidence
noun
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The words incident, incidence, and instance may seem similar (and, in fact, incident and incidence are closely related), but they are applied in different ways. In current use, incidence usually means "rate of occurrence" and is often qualified in some way ("a high incidence of bear sightings"). Incident usually refers to a particular event, often something unusual or unpleasant ("many such incidents go unreported"). Instance suggests a particular occurrence that is offered as an example ("another instance of a simple change bringing real improvement"); it can also be synonymous with case ("many instances/cases in which the wrong form was submitted"). The plural incidences sometimes occurs in such contexts as "several recent incidences of bear sightings," but this use is often criticized as incorrect.
Examples of incidence in a Sentence
Kathy Willis, WIRED, 28 Dec. 2024
Other challenges include skyrocketing interest costs on the national debt, a growing incidence and severity of emergencies, and last—but surely not least—a failure of tax revenues to keep pace with spending,
A range of budgetary matters are already demanding the attention of lawmakers.
—Doug Criscitello, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there’s a direct impact on rural locales because there is a higher incidence of unwanted pregnancies there.
—Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024
What Future Research Might Tell Us About Risk Factors
In hopes to understand what specific risk factors are leading to a higher incidence of breast cancer rates in AAPI women, Gomez and her colleagues started the CRANE Study (Breast Cancer Risk among AsiaN AmEricans Study).
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Incidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incidence. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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