prevalent

Everyday

1. Common or widespread in a place or at a time: «Colds are prevalent in winter.» tree →
2. (formal) Most common, strongest among others. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons it describes how common an illness, animal or habit is; in geography, which plants or winds are common in a region. Phrases: «prevalent in», «prevalent among», «widely prevalent».

Examples

• Head lice are prevalent in primary schools. tree →
• Malaria is prevalent in some hot, wet countries. tree →
• The prevalent wind here blows from the west. tree →
• Smartphones are prevalent among teenagers. tree →
• Kangaroos are prevalent in many parts of Australia. tree →
• Bullying online is more prevalent than many adults think. tree →
• The second story will serve as an illustration of one of the Russian customs with respect to the dead, and also of the ideas about witchcraft, still prevalent in Russia. tree →

Note

Noun: prevalence (how common something is; in maths and health surveys it can be a percentage). Formal; simpler: «common», «widespread». Note «prevailing wind» and «prevalent wind» are both used; «prevailing» is more usual for wind.

In Jewish tradition

In science and health lessons it describes how common an illness, animal or habit is; in geography, which plants or winds are common in a region. Phrases: «prevalent in», «prevalent among», «widely prevalent».

Note

Noun: prevalence (how common something is; in maths and health surveys it can be a percentage). Formal; simpler: «common», «widespread». Note «prevailing wind» and «prevalent wind» are both used; «prevailing» is more usual for wind.