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common cold
noun
: an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes and by a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (such as a rhinovirus or an adenovirus)
Examples of common cold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While coming from different virus families, generally the common cold, flu, COVID-19 and RSV all tend to cause the same kind of symptoms.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2024
There are many possible causes of a sore throat, including the common cold and the flu.
—Leah Groth, Health, 16 Dec. 2023
This helps to prevent asthma attacks from happening, particularly when children are exposed to asthma triggers such as the common cold or allergens.
—USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images A common cold virus is most contagious within the first few days but can continue to spread for up to two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital research.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2024
Sometimes a common cold virus, like rhinovirus, is in the mix.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2024
The other infection could have been pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, the common cold, an ear infection, or a different upper or lower respiratory infection.
—Maggie O’Neill, Verywell Health, 9 Nov. 2023
The good news is that – also like the common cold – the patient recovers naturally.
—George Calhoun, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
Her daughter has a weak immune system and must be kept away from relatives with even a common cold.
—Issam Adwan, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'common cold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1713, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near common cold
Cite this Entry
“Common cold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20cold. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
common cold
noun
: a contagious viral illness of the structures used in breathing which causes the nose and throat to be sore, swollen, and inflamed and in which there is usually much mucus and coughing and sneezing
Medical Definition
common cold
noun
: an acute contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes with a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (as a rhinovirus or an adenovirus)
More from Merriam-Webster on common cold
Nglish: Translation of common cold for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about common cold
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