prevalent

adjective

prev·​a·​lent ˈpre-və-lənt How to pronounce prevalent (audio)
ˈprev-lənt
1
: generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored : widespread
2
: being in ascendancy : dominant
3
archaic : powerful
prevalent noun
prevalently adverb

Examples of prevalent in a Sentence

Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are no more prevalent here than in most European countries. John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe. Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves. Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess;  … Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
a custom that was once prevalent here Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools. a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The problem has become so prevalent that Pichai suggested during a Google town hall in February that his hiring managers consider returning to in-person job interviews. Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2025 Under the Biden administration, VA executives received bonuses despite persistent and prevalent leadership failures – a policy that allowed bureaucrats to benefit while veterans suffered. Wilson Beaver and Ka’von Johnson/the Heritage Foundation, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2025 The Studio effectively captures all the glad-handing, backslapping and bulls–tting that’s prevalent at every Hollywood movie studio, with plenty of foul-mouthed insults and fake laughs. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 7 Mar. 2025 Music was prevalent throughout the show, as there were several spectacular performances, including a Wicked good performance from the 2024 film's stars Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prevalent

Word History

Etymology

Latin praevalent-, praevalens very powerful, from present participle of praevalēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of prevalent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prevalent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevalent. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

prevalent

adjective
prev·​a·​lent ˈprev(-ə)-lənt How to pronounce prevalent (audio)
: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area
prevalently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on prevalent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!