bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

bacterial infection

bacterially

bak-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

Examples of bacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sore throats from bacterial infections often last longer (up to 10 days), while a painful throat due to allergies, other conditions, or external irritants may come and go or become chronic. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 12 May 2025

Scientists now believe gastrointestinal conditions like ulcerative colitis and bacterial overgrowth may be responsible. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 9 May 2025

Twain’s daughter Susy, who had remained in America, died of bacterial meningitis at age 24. —Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025

But now, researchers have developed a new way to take the genes from all these species and place them in a single bacterial strain that can decontaminate complex waste mixtures. —ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bacterial

• bacterial vaginosis

Rhymes for bacterial

• arterial
• ethereal
• funereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• cereal
• virial

Kids Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

Medical Definition

bacterial

adjective

bac·​te·​ri·​al bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or caused by bacteria

a bacterial chromosome

bacterial infection

bacterial endocarditis

bacterially

-ə-lē 

adverb