super-spreading

noun

su·per-spread·ing ˌsü-pər-ˈspre-diŋ

variants or superspreading

: the transmission of a communicable disease to an unusually large number of uninfected individuals by a relatively small number of highly contagious individuals : the spread of disease by super-spreaders

The SARS coronavirus moved mainly via super-spreading and the epidemic died out. Whether that is likely to happen this time should become apparent soon.—

Debora MacKenzie

The authors analyse data from eight human infections … to show that superspreading occurs across the board, although to a greater or lesser extent depending on the disease.—

Alison P. Galvani and Robert M. May

—often used before another noun

super-spreading events

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of super-spreading was in 2003

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Super-spreading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/super-spreading. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation