incidence.

1. The occurrence of events; in epidemiology, the number or frequency of new cases in a population over a stated period.

2. In economics, the distribution of the actual burden of a tax or policy among affected parties.

3. The meeting of a ray or wave with a surface, especially as described by its direction or angle.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• incidence of disease
• annual incidence
• tax incidence

On the page

The incidence of new infections fell during the follow-up period.

Tax incidence depends on how buyers and sellers respond to the price change.

A lower incidence does not immediately reduce prevalence when existing cases persist.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic. Usually uncountable. New-case incidence differs from prevalence, which includes existing cases. State whether a count, risk, or person-time rate is meant. Tax incidence is not simply who remits payment. Usually uncountable in the recorded sense; no ordinary plural.