bird flu

noun

: avian influenza
specifically : severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For example, eggs go up in price when bird flu compromises flock health. — Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025 Business With bird flu cases on the rise, staff at California lab say they are overworked and burned out Dec. 1, 2024 UC Davis spokesperson Bill Kisliuk declined to comment on the lawsuit’s specific allegations. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 Last year, the company also issued a recall after its raw milk tested positive for bird flu but said its products were never associated with any infections. — Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 19 June 2025 The decline in egg prices is likely due to a decrease in bird flu cases in commercial and backyard flocks since the start of the year. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bird flu

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird flu was in 1972

Rhymes for bird flu

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Browse Nearby Words

bird flower
bird flu
bird font
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Cite this Entry

“Bird flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20flu. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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Medical Definition

bird flu

noun
ˈbərd- How to pronounce bird flu (audio)
: avian influenza
specifically : severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections

More from Merriam-Webster on bird flu

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bird flu

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