systemic

1 of 2

adjective

sys·​tem·​ic si-ˈste-mik 

: of, relating to, or common to a system: such as

a

: affecting the body generally

systemic diseases

b

: supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery

c

: of, relating to, or being a pesticide that as used is harmless to the plant or higher animal but when absorbed into its sap or bloodstream makes the entire organism toxic to pests (such as an insect or fungus)

There's also the issue of pollinator health. Once a systemic pesticide is applied it travels through the entire tree and pollinators can take it up.

—Dave Shaw, quoted in The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)

d

: fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice

… the systemic poverty instigated and perpetuated by … punitive government policy.

—Stephanie Convery

People are tired of marching. People are tired of hashtag protests. People want some systemic change.

—Rev. Tiffany Thomas

see also systemic racism

systemically

si-ˈste-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Systematic and Systemic: Usage Guide

Systematic and systemic both come from system. Systematic is the more common word; it most often describes something that is done according to a system or method.

a systematic approach to learning that involves carefully following the program's steps

Systemic describes what relates to or affects an entire system, be that system physical, organizational, or societal. For example, a systemic disease affects the entire body or organism, and systemic changes to an organization have an impact on the entire organization, including its most basic operations. Systemic is also used specifically to identify something as fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice.

systemic racism

systemic

2 of 2

noun

: a systemic pesticide

Examples of systemic in a Sentence

Adjective

The company made some systemic changes to the way it operated.

The problem seems to be systemic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Although the problem warrants a systemic fix, the best short-term solution is for hospitals to create more nuanced documentation tools, and for clinicians to exercise judgment when using them. — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

An imbalanced oral microbiome has been linked to systemic diseases well beyond dental problems, including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to the study in Cancers. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Corruption across the political divide Much of this year’s fatigue traces back to a sense of hopelessness over systemic corruption, which ranks among voters’ biggest concerns, yet neither camp can claim the issue as its own, say experts. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Disrupting plaque all day, not just morning and night, lowers the inflammatory load dentists tie to systemic disease. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1803, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing systemic

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• systemic racism
• systemic risk

Rhymes for systemic

• anaemic
• endemic
• glycemic
• pandemic
• polemic
• academic
• epidemic
• epistemic
• chemic
• remic
• hypovolemic
• nonacademic

Kids Definition

systemic

adjective

sys·​tem·​ic

sis-ˈtem-ik

: of, relating to, or common to a system: as

a

: of or relating to the body as a whole

a systemic disease

b

: concerned with the circulation that supplies blood to the bodily tissues through the aorta rather than the circulation involved in carrying blood through the pulmonary artery

c

: fundamental to a predominant social, economic, or political practice

systemic change

Medical Definition

systemic

1 of 2 adjective

sys·​tem·​ic sis-ˈtem-ik 

: of, relating to, or common to a system: as

a

: affecting the body generally compare local

b

: supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery

c

: being a pesticide that as used is harmless to a higher animal or a plant but when absorbed into the bloodstream or the sap makes the whole organism toxic to pests (as cattle grubs, mites, or aphids)

systemically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

systemic

2 of 2 noun

: a systemic pesticide