epidemic

S2 W2

BrE /ɪˈpɪdəmɪk/ AmE /ɪˈpɪdəmɪk/

noun en → es

1 ILLNESS SPREAD [singular] B1

a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease that spreads quickly among people

epidemia, brote de enfermedad

  • an epidemic of something

Collocations an epidemic of flu · an epidemic of measles

  • The country is facing an epidemic of malaria.

    El país está enfrentando una epidemia de malaria.

2 SOCIAL ISSUE [singular] B2

a widespread problem or issue that affects many people in a society, often used figuratively

problema social generalizado, cuestión de sociedad

  • an epidemic of something

Collocations an epidemic of obesity · an epidemic of violence

  • There is an epidemic of drug abuse among teenagers.

    Hay una epidemia de abuso de drogas entre los adolescentes.