E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: an enterobacterium (Escherichia coli) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness see enterobacterium illustration
Examples of E. coli in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 80% of people with E. coli interviewed by government investigators reported eating McDonald’s items containing fresh, slivered onions, the FDA noted.
—
Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Most products recalls were due to concerns about listeria or E. coli and, in many cases, were only precautionary.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 31 Oct. 2024
The number of people sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s burgers rose to 90, the CDC said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
That is the number of states where the E. coli cases linked to the outbreak have been reported.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli 
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Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Most products recalls were due to concerns about listeria or E. coli and, in many cases, were only precautionary.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 31 Oct. 2024
The number of people sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s burgers rose to 90, the CDC said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
That is the number of states where the E. coli cases linked to the outbreak have been reported.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for E. coli
Cite this Entry
“E. coli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/E.%20coli. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
E. coli
noun
plural E. coli
: a bacterium in the shape of a short rod that may cause intestinal illness
Etymology
short for Escherichia coli, the taxonomic name in biology
Medical Definition
E. coli
nounˌē-ˈkō-ˌlī
plural E. coli also E. colis
: a straight rod-shaped gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli of the family Enterobacteriaceae) that is used in public health as an indicator of fecal pollution (as of water or food) and in medicine and genetics as a research organism and that occurs in various strains that may live as harmless inhabitants of the human lower intestine or may produce a toxin causing intestinal illness marked especially by diarrhea
one million acid-resistant E. coli per gram of feces—John Schwartz
John Schwartzthis E. coli can survive … longer than all the other E. colis—Ed Geldreich
Ed GeldreichLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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