influenza

American  

[in-floo-en-zuh] / ˌɪn fluˈɛn zə /

noun

1. Pathology. an acute, commonly epidemic disease, occurring in several forms, caused by numerous rapidly mutating viral strains and characterized by respiratory symptoms and general prostration.

2. Veterinary Pathology. an acute, contagious disease occurring in horses and swine, characterized by fever, depression, and catarrhal inflammations of the eyes, nasal passages, and bronchi, and caused by a virus.

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influenza British  

/ ˌɪnflʊˈɛnzə /

noun

1. Also called: grippe.   flu.  informal a highly contagious and often epidemic viral disease characterized by fever, prostration, muscular aches and pains, and inflammation of the respiratory passages

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influenza Scientific  

/ ĭn′flo̅o̅-ĕn′zə /

1. A highly contagious infectious disease that is caused by any of various viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae and is characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, and muscle pain. It commonly occurs in epidemics, one of which killed 20 million people between 1917 and 1919.

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influenza Cultural  

1. Commonly called the flu; an acute and infectious disease of the respiratory system caused by a virus and characterized by fever, muscle pain, headache, and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.

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Word History

Since ancient times, influenza has periodically swept the world. Until recently, people could not tell how this illness, which we call the flu, could spread so widely. Before people knew that organisms cause disease, they thought the stars influenced the spread of influenza. Influenza comes ultimately from the Latin word influentia, meaning “influence of the stars.” Today, however, the stars are no longer blamed for the flu. Inhaling influenza viruses causes the spread of the illness.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• postinfluenzal
  adjective
• influenzal
  adjective
• influenzalike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of influenza

1735–45; < Italian < Medieval Latin influentia influence

Compare meaning

How does influenza compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• parainfluenza vs. influenza

Explanation

An influenza is a contagious viral infection. Influenzas tend to spread during the winter, and they're more commonly known as the flu. If you've ever wondered why this word looks so much like influence, that’s because both come from the Italian influentia. The original idea was a flowing in — of ethereal fluid from the heavens, thus affecting human destiny. We know now influenza is caused by viruses, not heavenly fluid. When you have an influenza, you're likely to vomit, have diarrhea, be exhausted, and feel terrible overall. One way to prevent influenza is by getting a flu shot.

Example Sentences

Researchers believe the same strategy could eventually be applied to other virus families, including Ebola viruses and influenza viruses.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

"The symptoms are classically of respiratory illness, rather like a severe influenza infection or Covid-19 - people get very breathless," said centre director Prof Emma Thomson.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Despite the fatalities, officials have emphasized that the broader public risk remains low, noting that hantavirus doesn’t spread as easily as airborne pathogens such as influenza or Covid-19.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

“COVID doesn’t seem to play by the same rules that influenza tends to play by, where its cycle is predictable.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

His concern focused on a series of illnesses that had struck his patients throughout the year—the mumps in January, jaw and mouth infections in February, scarlet fever in March, followed by influenza in July.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy

Related Words

• contagion
• curse
• epidemic
• infection
• infestation
• invasion
• outbreak
• pandemic
• scourge