1. As a verb:
* To have an effect on something or someone: "The weather influenced our decision to stay inside."
* To persuade or sway someone: "The lawyer tried to influence the jury."
2. As a noun:
* The power to affect something or someone: "The politician had a lot of influence over the public."
* The effect that someone or something has: "The teacher's influence on her students was profound."
* A person or thing that has an effect: "She was a major influence in my life."
It's important to note:
* Influence can be positive or negative: "His father's influence helped him succeed," or "The negative influence of the group led him astray."
* Influence can be direct or indirect: "The teacher directly influenced his student's decision," or "The music indirectly influenced her mood."
If you can provide more context about how you're using the word "influence," I can give you a more specific explanation.