listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria li-ˈstir-ē-ə 

plural listeria

: any of a genus (Listeria) of small, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (Listeria monocytogenes) that causes listeriosis

A common germ found in many foods from raw vegetables to hot dogs, listeria can cause a sometimes fatal disease called listeriosis when present in large quantities.

—Amy Barrett

also : a disease or sickness caused by infection with this bacterium : listeriosis

Listeria symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

—Sierra Brown

Examples of listeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recalled for potential listeria monocytogenes contamination. —Jason Lalljee, Axios, 26 Dec. 2024

The move from Baker Farms to voluntarily recall almost 450 bags of its 16-ounce Curly Mustard product came after the company was notified by the Texas Department of Agriculture that the product had tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly bacteria. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

The Listeria fight intensifies A series of listeria outbreaks has raised consumer anxieties about food safety. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2024

Bacteria like salmonella, E coli and listeria monocytogenes can all persist in milk that has not been pasteurized, as can the viruses that cause disease like tuberculosis, diptheria and scarlet fever. —Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria lis-ˈtir-ē-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of small gram-positive flagellated rod-shaped bacteria that do not form spores, are aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, and have a tendency to grow in chains and that include one (L. monocytogenes) causing listeriosis

2

: any bacterium of the genus Listeria

called also listerella

listerial

lis-ˈtir-ē-əl 

adjective

listeric

-ik 

adjective