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

Most trees release their pollen in the springtime, which is when people usually expect to have hay fever, meaning that cedar fever is often mistaken for seasonal illnesses like flu or the common cold, which also spike during the winter months. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Research shows echinacea can have immunity-stimulating properties and shorten the duration and severity of illnesses like the common cold. —Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024

Symptoms of whooping cough in children Whooping cough usually starts like a common cold and then gets worse after a week or two. —Dr. Shreya Doshi, Boston Herald, 8 Dec. 2024

This approach means the data may include other respiratory illnesses like RSV or the common cold. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

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)