food poisoning

noun

: an acute gastrointestinal disorder caused by bacteria or their toxic products or by chemical residues in food

Examples of food poisoning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another difference between the stomach bug and food poisoning? —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

Salmonella is the most common cause of food poisoning in the U.S. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

His death from food poisoning in September wasn’t investigated because it was considered natural, O Globo reported. —Latoya Gayle, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

And oh, Mamma Mia, can food poisoning be a risk for Holiday meals, especially with things like turkey that people are not used to cooking the rest of the year. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

food poisoning

noun

: a digestive sickness caused by bacteria or by chemicals in food

Medical Definition

food poisoning

noun

1

: either of two acute gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria or their toxic products:

a

: a rapidly developing intoxication marked by nausea, vomiting, prostration, and often severe diarrhea and caused by the presence in food of toxic products produced by bacteria (as some staphylococci)

b

: a less rapidly developing infection especially with salmonellae that has generally similar symptoms and that results from multiplication of bacteria ingested with contaminated food

2

: a gastrointestinal disturbance occurring after consumption of food that is contaminated with chemical residues (as from sprays) or food (as some fungi) that is inherently unsuitable for human consumption