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1
2
: any of several virus diseases marked especially by respiratory or intestinal symptoms
Examples of flu in a Sentence
He came down with a bad bout of the flu.
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, they were not accustomed to signing up for a flu shot, period.
—
Alexandra M. Lord, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
Pedro Almodóvar and Penelope Cruz canceled sick from ‘the flu.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
And while broilers are not immune from avian flu, they haven't been hit nearly as hard as their egg-laying cousins.
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Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Feb. 2025
Driving the news: County public health officials are encouraging residents, particularly kids, to get this season's flu vaccine after three teens who were unvaccinated recently died from the flu.
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Kate Murphy, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
by shortening
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing flu
Dictionary Entries Near flu
Cite this Entry
“Flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flu. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
flu
noun2
: any of several virus diseases that are something like a cold
flu-like
adjective
ˈflü-ˌlīk
Medical Definition
flu
noun1
2
: any of several chiefly viral illnesses marked especially by respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms see intestinal flu
More from Merriam-Webster on flu
Nglish: Translation of flu for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of flu for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flu
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