swine flu

noun

: swine influenza

also : influenza A of humans that is caused by a different strain of an orthomyxovirus subtype (H1N1) from those found in swine and that is marked especially by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Examples of swine flu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This continues to be the highest level seen since at least 2009, during the swine flu pandemic. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2025

Just as swine flu strains tend to infect pigs, avian flu strains tend to infect birds. —Hanna D. Paton, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025

Flu infections have reached the highest level since the winter of 2010 and 2011 when the swine flu swept across the nation, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

That’s more than at any time since the swine flu pandemic 15 years ago. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for swine flu

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

Medical Definition

swine flu

noun

: swine influenza

also : influenza of humans that is caused by a subtype (H1N1) of an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virus of the genus Influenzavirus A) originating in swine and is marked especially by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Among the swine flu cases in the United States, none had had any contact with pigs …

—Marc Lacey and Donald G. McNeil Jr., The New York Times

As swine flu spreads from person to person around the world, it is most often being transmitted by coughing or sneezing …

—Laura Landro, The Wall Street Journal