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

Time Traveler
The first known use of common cold was in 1713

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)

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