What does systemic mean?
Systemic describes something that belongs to, or affects, a whole system rather than a single part of it. The word is especially useful for discussing patterns embedded in institutions, organizations, markets, or social structures. A discriminatory practice may be systemic if it results from policies or practices that operate throughout a system, not simply because several unrelated individuals have acted badly. In medicine, systemic describes conditions affecting the entire body or multiple body systems. The term is common in serious professional and public discussion, where it can suggest that isolated remedies will be inadequate because the underlying structure must also be changed. It differs from systematic, which primarily means carefully organized according to a method. Systemic thus focuses on the scope and interconnected nature of a condition or feature.
Relating to or affecting an entire system, especially one made up of interconnected parts.
"The committee called for systemic reforms to the country's health service."
Often used to describe problems, risks, inequalities, or changes that arise from the structure of a system rather than from one isolated event.
In medicine, affecting the whole body or multiple organ systems rather than one localized area.
"Further tests were needed to determine whether the infection was systemic."
This medical use is established, especially in clinical and pharmaceutical contexts.
A problem can be small in one case but systemic when it reflects the rules and structures that produce many such cases.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does systemic come from?
Systemic was formed in the 19th century from system plus the suffix -ic. System ultimately comes through Latin from Greek systēma, meaning an organized whole or arrangement. Related English words include system, systematic, and systematics, all of which reflect the same underlying idea of organization or interconnected parts.
Related word forms
How systemic is actually used
Commonly used in academic, institutional, medical, and policy contexts. It often implies that a problem is built into interconnected structures or processes, rather than being an isolated failure.
Easily confused with systemic
Systemic means affecting a whole system, while systematic means organized according to a deliberate plan or method.