The word "zombie" typically refers to a fictional undead creature, often depicted in horror fiction and folklore. Zombies are usually characterized as being reanimated corpses that have lost their cognitive abilities and are driven by a basic instinct to feed on the living, primarily human flesh. They are popularly known from movies, television shows, and books that explore themes of horror and survival.
The word "zombie" comes from the Haitian Creole word "zonbi," which refers to a reanimated corpse in Vodou belief. Its usage in English dates back to the early 19th century, becoming more popular in the 1920s with the rise of horror films and literature.