flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza

2

: any of several virus diseases marked especially by respiratory or intestinal symptoms

flu-like

ˈflü-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of flu in a Sentence

He came down with a bad bout of the flu.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bird flu has not been detected in any dairy herds in Wisconsin, but most surrounding states have reported infections in dairy cattle since March, when bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, was identified for the first time in U.S. dairy cattle, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 21 June 2024

It was played annually until 1929, apart from 1918, owing to the flu pandemic, and 1928, when Argentina and Uruguay participated in the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, instead. —Graciela Mochkofsky, The New Yorker, 20 June 2024

So far, the public health risk of avian flu, or H5N1, is low. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 19 June 2024

Bird flu virus in Michigan wastewater Michigan is suggested to be a national hotspot for the avian influenza virus, according to wastewater surveillance data. —Leah Olajide, Detroit Free Press, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

by shortening

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flu

• anti-flu
• Asian flu
• bird flu
• blue flu
• flu season
• swine flu
• yuppie flu

Kids Definition

flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza sense 1

2

: any of several virus diseases that are something like a cold

flu-like

ˈflü-ˌlīk

adjective

Medical Definition

flu

noun

ˈflü 

1

: influenza

2

: any of several chiefly viral illnesses marked especially by respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms see intestinal flu

flu-like

-ˌlīk 

adjective

also flulike

flu-like symptoms