Definition of influence
1a : an ethereal fluid held to flow from the stars and to affect the actions of humansb : an emanation of occult power held to derive from stars
2 : an emanation of spiritual or moral force
3a : the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of commandb : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
4 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway
5 : one that exerts influence
under the influence
: affected by alcohol or drug intoxication was arrested for driving under the influence
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Examples of influence in a sentence
Recent years have seen a decline in the company's influence within the industry.
Her ideas have gradually gained influence in the company.
He used his influence to reform the company's policies.
She has remained under the influence of her parents.
She claims that her personal problems played no influence upon her decision to resign.
His health problems may have had some influence on his decision.
Her parents still have a great deal of influence over her.
The chairman wields considerable influence over the board's decisions.
Her parents are concerned that her new friends may have a bad influence on her.
Emily Dickinson has had a major influence on his poetry.
Recent Examples of influence from the web
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That would also increase the influence of Mr. Brown, who would then likely head the Senate Banking Committee.
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Even if Britain eventually regains its influence on the Continent, a big if, it will be deeply distracted for years.
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Five days earlier, he had been pulled over by Maryland State Police on the Eastern Shore and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and running a stop sign.
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Alongside the Atlantic slave trade, there was a Mediterranean slave trade, driven by the Barbary pirates of North Africa who operated within the domain of influence of the Ottoman Empire.
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Chettiar cuisine, with its wide-ranging global influences and exquisite spicing, is currently on every gastronome’s radar.
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In their democratic culture, the word has negative connotations—power-mad, power-hungry—and the people who wield the most tend to downplay their influence.
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At this time in history, of course, the government and all its branches were lousy with the influence of the railroads.
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But at a stage when real masters have long since digested all influences, this autodidact is still charging us to grade his homework.
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The Surprising History of Influence and Its Modern Use
Influence may seem like a ho-hum word, but its history is heavenly.
The word first referred to a celestial fluid that was believed to flow from the stars. As this fluid reached the Earth, it supposedly affected the actions of the planet's inhabitants—especially the human ones. (The word influenza has the same origin: the Medieval Latin word influentia. It was for a time believed that epidemics were caused by unusual conjunctions of the planets.)
In modern use, the noun typically refers to the power to change or affect someone or something—especially the power to cause changes without directly forcing those changes to happen. Influence can also refer to a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way.
The noun had been in use for more than 200 years before the verb use developed. As a verb, influence typically means "to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way." Something or someone that influences a person or thing, then, has an influence on that person or thing.
Origin and Etymology of influence
Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin influentia, from Latin influent-, influens, present participle of influere to flow in, from in- + fluere to flow — more at fluid
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of influence
influence
Definition of influence
influenced
;influencing
transitive verb
1 : to affect or alter by indirect or intangible means
2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of
Examples of influence in a sentence
I was deeply influenced by my parents.
She claims that her decision to resign was not influenced by her personal problems.
No one knows how this decision will influence the outcome of the election.
He's accused of illegally attempting to influence the jury.
Recent Examples of influence from the web
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Multiple screenings daily EXTREME WEATHER 3-D: Discover the complex forces influencing our weather.
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At the same time the Secretary of Education certainly stands in a bully pulpit to influence what happens on the state level.
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The ultimate goal is to collect enough solid data to generate insights that will influence public policy.
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Even though the influence-peddling revealed in the documents dates back nearly 50 years, more recent reports show that the food industry has continued to influence nutrition science.
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Have the 360° Discoveries tasting menu, which shows how Portugal's former colonies have influenced the country's cuisine.
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No single pitcher influenced my desire to be a big leaguer more than the No. 2 on the all-time saves list: Trevor Hoffman.
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Personally Ordered a Campaign to Influence the 2016 Election
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In the coming months, the U.S. will, nevertheless, try to influence Russia to take a stronger stance toward Iran in the face of growing concerns over its nuclear activities.
These example sentences are collected from online sources. Help us improve them by sending feedback.
1658
First Known Use of influence
1658
Synonym Discussion of influence
INFLUENCE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of influence for English Language Learners
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: the power to change or affect someone or something : the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen
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: a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way
influence
Definition of influence for English Language Learners
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: to affect or change (someone or something) in an indirect but usually important way : to have an influence on (someone or something)
INFLUENCE Defined for Kids
Definition of influence for Students
1 : the act or power of causing an effect or change without use of direct force or authority You could move to some other part of Mexico, but … Luis's influence is far-reaching. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising
2 : a person or thing that has an indirect but usually important effect She's a bad influence on him.
Definition of influence for Students
influenced
;influencing
: to affect or change in an indirect but usually important way I was influenced by my parents.
Law Dictionary
influence
Legal Definition of influence
1a : the act or power of producing an effect without any apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command b : corrupt interference with authority for personal gain
2 : the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways
3 : one that exerts influence
influencer
noununder the influence
: affected by alcohol or another intoxicant was arrested for driving under the influence
influence
Legal Definition of influence
influenced
influencing
1 : to alter or affect by indirect or intangible means the exemption would allow a conglomerate that owns both a media business and an unrelated business to influence or control the media — Citizens United v. Federal Election Comm'n, 130 S. Ct. 876 (2010)
2 : to have an effect on the condition or development of
Learn More about influence
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for influence Spanish Central: Translation of influence Nglish: Translation of influence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of influence for Arabic speakers
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