n.  流行病，传染病

n. 〔坏事的〕发生次数陡增，频率突增

• Currently, there's mounting criticism of Michelle Obama's “Let's Move!” campaign, which fights childhood obesity by encouraging youngsters to become more physically active, and has signed on singer Beyoncé and basketball player Shaquille O'Neal, both of whom also endorse sodas, which are a major contributor to the obesity epidemic.  肥胖流行症

• To call stress an epidemic isn't exaggeration. 把压力称作一种流行病绝不是夸张

• The problem has grown into such epidemic proportions that this severe strain of resistant bacteria is being blamed for nearly 700,000 deaths each year throughout the world. 问题已经泛滥成灾

• Over 500 people died during last year’s flu epidemic. 去年流感大暴发期间有五百多人死亡。

• Britain is suffering an epidemic of petty crime. 目前英国轻微罪案频发。

BrE /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃn/