common cold

noun

: an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes and by a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (such as a rhinovirus or an adenovirus)

Examples of common cold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In this stage, RSV can be hard to distinguish from the common cold or other respiratory viruses like COVID-19 or influenza. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 May 2025

Those include injection site reactions, common cold symptoms, and upper respiratory tract infections. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2025

Many Idahoans — including several of the state’s lawmakers, according to comments made on the House and Senate floors — have been clamoring to use the drug to treat a wide range of maladies, from cancer to the common cold, for which it is not approved by the FDA. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2025

Individuals suffering from what's called acute or viral bronchitis get the illness from viruses such as RSV, coronavirus, the common cold (rhinovirus) and influenza. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for common cold

• copyhold
• decontrolled
• hundredfold
• manifold
• marigold
• oversold
• petioled
• sevenfold
• stranglehold
• subthreshold
• thousandfold
• uncontrolled

Kids Definition

common cold

noun

: a contagious viral illness of the structures used in breathing which causes the nose and throat to be sore, swollen, and inflamed and in which there is usually much mucus and coughing and sneezing

Medical Definition

common cold

noun

: an acute contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes with a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (as a rhinovirus or an adenovirus)