Meaning

• The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.

  "I have absolutely no influence over him."

• An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.

  "I'm not able to exercise influence over him."

• A person or thing exerting such power or action.

  "He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections."

• An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.

• The action of flowing in; influx.

• Electrostatic induction.

Meaning

• To have an effect on by using gentle or subtle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.

  "I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life."

• To exert, make use of one's influence.

• To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.