listeriosis
noun
lis·te·ri·o·sis
li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-səs 
plural listerioses
li-ˌstir-ē-ˈō-ˌsēz
: a serious encephalitic disease of a wide variety of animals that is caused by a bacterium (Listeria monocytogenes) and that in animals is often fatal but in humans is usually not fatal
Examples of listeriosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most listeriosis infections are limited to the digestive system, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Listeria is a bacteria that contaminates foods and can cause listeriosis, which is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
People who are extra concerned about listeriosis may also want to avoid higher-risk foods.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Oct. 2024
Listeria bacteria causes listeriosis, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
—Sam Tupper, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listeriosis 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Listeria is a bacteria that contaminates foods and can cause listeriosis, which is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
People who are extra concerned about listeriosis may also want to avoid higher-risk foods.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Oct. 2024
Listeria bacteria causes listeriosis, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
—Sam Tupper, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listeriosis
Dictionary Entries Near listeriosis
Cite this Entry
“Listeriosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listeriosis. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
listeriosis
noun
lis·te·ri·o·sis
(ˌ)lis-ˌtir-ē-ˈō-səs
variants
also listerellosis
plural listerioses also listerelloses
-ˌsēz
: a serious disease of animals and humans that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Listeria (L. monocytogenes), that in animals causes severe encephalitis accompanied by disordered movements and is often fatal, that is contracted by humans especially from contaminated food (as processed meats or unpasteurized milk or cheese), that in otherwise healthy people typically takes the form of a mild flu-like illness or has no noticeable symptoms, that in neonates, the elderly, and the immunocompromised often causes serious sometimes fatal illness with symptoms including meningitis and sepsis, and that in pregnant women usually causes only mild illness in the mother but often results in miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth see circling disease
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share