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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
People have been less likely to die from cancer over the last few decades despite the increasing incidence rate.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
Children under the age of five have the highest incidence rate of urticaria, and Black people are four to five times more likely to develop the condition than white people.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2024
The rationale behind this heterogeneity is to avoid such a policy's uneven incidence on households at different income levels.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Incidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incidence. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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