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
Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
Early sunlight will help to dry the plants surface more quickly and can reduce the incidence of diseases.
—Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Screening for colorectal cancer reduces mortality and using certain screening tools can reduce colorectal cancer incidence.
—Anand Parekh, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Cut plants to the ground following a killing frost in autumn to reduce the incidence of powdery mildew the following season.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Incidence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incidence. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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