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

The last one in 2009, called swine flu, was comparatively mild.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

He put a human flu virus — H3N2 — into one pig, and a swine flu virus — H1N1 — into another.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2024

In testing blood samples collected from a random sample of 63 adult blood donors, the researchers found that antibodies resulting from a previous infection of swine flu also reacted to the N1 protein in H5N1.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

Dr. Fauci served under seven presidents, shepherding the nation through infectious disease threats including AIDS, swine flu, anthrax and Ebola.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2024

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

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