bird flu

noun

: avian influenza

specifically : severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus (Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae) that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections

Examples of bird flu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first, announced in January 2025, was an elderly person in Louisiana who had a version of bird flu known as H5N1. — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Officials said the person contracted bird flu, also known as avian influenza, following exposure to infected cattle. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

On October 31, the Yakima County Health District reported a person who had come into contact with infected cattle was hospitalized with a severe case of bird flu. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

This year, the USDA has reported 134 cases of bird flu in cattle, including cases in Texas, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Kansas. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bird flu

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Medical Definition

bird flu

noun

ˈbərd- 

: avian influenza

specifically : severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus (Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae) that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections