An influx is a sudden arrival of large numbers of people or things into a place. When a new video game releases and causes an influx of customers at the store, workers scramble to help everyone. When a city experiences an influx of tourists during summer vacation, hotels fill up and restaurants get crowded.

The word suggests a significant rush or flood, not just a few items trickling in. A teacher might notice an influx of questions right before a big test, or a library might see an influx of students when a popular book series releases its next volume.

Influx often describes movement that creates noticeable change or strain. A small town might struggle with an influx of traffic during a festival. A wildlife refuge might celebrate an influx of migrating birds each spring. The word captures that sense of abundance arriving all at once, like opening the doors on the first day of a big sale and watching crowds pour in.