Question

incidence noun The words incident, incidence, and instance may seem similar (and, in fact, incident and incidence are closely related), but they are not used identically. In current use, incidence usually means "rate of occurrence" and is often qualified in some way ("a high incidence of diabetes"). Incident usually refers to a particular event, often something unusual or unpleasant ("many such incidents go unreported"). Instance suggests a particular occurrence that is offered as an example ("another instance of bureaucratic bumbling"); it can also be synonymous with case ("many instances in which the wrong form was submitted"). The plural incidences sometimes occurs in such contexts as "several recent incidences of crime," but this use is often criticized as incorrect. 1 a : [angle of incidence](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angle of incidence)b : the arrival of something (such as a projectile or a ray of light) at a surface 2 a : an act or the fact or manner of falling upon or affecting : occurrence b : rate of occurrence or influence

Accepted Answer

October 9, 2015 IN-suh-dunss The neighborhood boasts excellent schools and a low incidence of crime."[Meditation] may also help people with insomnia and lower the incidence, duration, and severity of acute respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.…" — Alexia Severson, The Las Cruces (New Mexico) Sun-News, 4 Sept. 2015

Word	incidence
Date	October 9, 2015
Type	noun
Syllables	IN-suh-dunss
Etymology	The words incident, incidence, and instance may seem similar (and, in fact, incident and incidence are closely related), but they are not used identically. In current use, incidence usually means "rate of occurrence" and is often qualified in some way ("a high incidence of diabetes"). Incident usually refers to a particular event, often something unusual or unpleasant ("many such incidents go unreported"). Instance suggests a particular occurrence that is offered as an example ("another instance of bureaucratic bumbling"); it can also be synonymous with case ("many instances in which the wrong form was submitted"). The plural incidences sometimes occurs in such contexts as "several recent incidences of crime," but this use is often criticized as incorrect.
Examples	The neighborhood boasts excellent schools and a low incidence of crime. "[Meditation] may also help people with insomnia and lower the incidence, duration, and severity of acute respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.…" — Alexia Severson, The Las Cruces (New Mexico) Sun-News, 4 Sept. 2015
Definition	1 a : [angle of incidence](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/angle of incidence) b : the arrival of something (such as a projectile or a ray of light) at a surface 2 a : an act or the fact or manner of falling upon or affecting : occurrence b : rate of occurrence or influence

Incidence Instance Occurrence Incident B October Noun In Suh Dunss