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

Droughts, hurricanes and diseases like bird flu drove down production. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

Prices rocketed up for lots of reasons in the wake of the pandemic, from the war in Ukraine to a highly contagious bird flu that pushed retail egg prices to record highs last year. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 25 July 2026

So, the discovery last week of two birds infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has rattled nerves. — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Costs have declined every month since March 2025, following a massive outbreak of bird flu that disrupted the egg supply and sent retail prices soaring. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 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