listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria li-ˈstir-ē-ə How to pronounce listeria (audio)
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 Trump debate pet-eating claim Boar's Head to close Virginia plant linked to listeria outbreak, 500 people out of work Boeing workers on strike for the 1st time in 16 years after 96% vote to reject contract Where is the Deer Park fire burning? Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024 Boar’s Head is closing one of its plants following a listeria outbreak. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024 Boar's Head shuttered the Virginia plant linked to a listeria outbreak and the deaths of nine people. Karri Peifer, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024 The listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water, animal feces and raw materials. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for listeria 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'listeria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of listeria was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near listeria

Cite this Entry

“Listeria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listeria. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

listeria

noun
lis·​te·​ria lis-ˈtir-ē-ə How to pronounce listeria (audio)
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 adjective
listeric adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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