swine flu

American  

[swahyn floo] / ˈswaɪn ˈflu /

noun

Pathology.

1. a form of influenza that afflicts pigs.

2. a form of influenza that afflicts humans by infection with a virus once thought to be very similar to the influenza virus found in North American pigs.

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swine flu Scientific  

/ swīn /

1. A highly contagious form of influenza seen in swine, caused by a virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. The infection is communicable to humans and caused a worldwide epidemic in 1918.

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Etymology

Origin of swine flu

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

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

• swine flu vs. flu

Example Sentences

There have been nine such declarations, including the Ebola outbreak in 2013, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

From MarketWatch • May 17, 2026

In the spring of 2009, a shift happened with an H1N1 strain, also known as swine flu.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2026

During the flu season that ended in September, 280 children died from flu — the most since the swine flu pandemic season of 2009-10.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

Ms Sturgeon agreed that the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy – produced in 2011 following the swine flu outbreak two years before – was inadequate to deal with Covid-19.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2024

It’s like they have the swine flu and are trying to avoid germs.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed