sys·tem·ic
si-ˈste-mik 
: of, relating to, or common to a system: such as
a
: affecting the body generally
systemic diseases
b
: supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery
c
: of, relating to, or being a pesticide that as used is harmless to the plant or higher animal but when absorbed into its sap or bloodstream makes the entire organism toxic to pests (such as an insect or fungus)
Neonics … are what is known as "systemic" pesticides. That is, the neonics are applied directly to seeds, and those treated seeds then grow into the crops that contain neonicotinoids in their pollen, their nectar and, indeed, their every fiber.—
Joel Bleifuss
Joel Bleifuss
d
: fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice
Her story is one of hard-won resilience and a desire to fight against tremendous odds: the systemic poverty instigated and perpetuated by what her advocates describe as punitive government policy.—Stephanie Convery
Stephanie ConveryPeople are tired of marching. People are tired of hashtag protests. People want some systemic change.—Rev. Tiffany Thomas
see also systemic racism
Rev. Tiffany Thomas
Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide
Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method
a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps
Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations.
: a systemic pesticide
Examples of systemic in a Sentence
Adjective
The company made some systemic changes to the way it operated.
The problem seems to be systemic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Instead of operating under a single nationwide system, elections are generally run on the county level, with some states like Wisconsin and Michigan running elections through thousands of municipal clerks -- an arrangement that helps prevent bad actors from causing large-scale systemic problems.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2024
In addition, the use of broad-spectrum pesticides as a systemic applied to the soil or sprayed on plants often sets up gardeners for heavy infestations of spider mites.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for systemic 
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Adjective
This thinking ignored the true roots of poverty: employment discrimination, educational disparities, segregated housing, and systemic biases in the criminal justice system.
—Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024
Instead of operating under a single nationwide system, elections are generally run on the county level, with some states like Wisconsin and Michigan running elections through thousands of municipal clerks -- an arrangement that helps prevent bad actors from causing large-scale systemic problems.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Some systemic, some only thinly veiled as things the next quarterback — eventually first-round pick Bo Nix — would do better than Wilson.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2024
In addition, the use of broad-spectrum pesticides as a systemic applied to the soil or sprayed on plants often sets up gardeners for heavy infestations of spider mites.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for systemic
Dictionary Entries Near systemic
Cite this Entry
“Systemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systemic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
systemic
1 of 2 adjective
sys·tem·ic
sis-ˈtem-ik
: of, relating to, or common to a system: as
a
: affecting the body generally compare local
b
: supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery
c
: being a pesticide that as used is harmless to a higher animal or a plant but when absorbed into the bloodstream or the sap makes the whole organism toxic to pests (as cattle grubs, mites, or aphids)
systemic
2 of 2 noun
: a systemic pesticide
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