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botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbä-chə-ˌli-zəm
: acute food poisoning that is caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterial clostridium (Clostridium botulinum) and is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate
Examples of botulism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An ongoing outbreak of botulism in the Klamath Basin has killed more than 100,000 birds at a wildlife refuge near the Oregon-California border, conservation groups say.
—Kale Williams, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
Five people are hospitalized and on respirators after eating pesto that may be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria that causes botulism.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2024
Symptoms of botulism can start anywhere from six hours to two weeks after consuming food that contains botulinum toxin, per the FDA.
—Korin Miller, Health, 22 June 2024
Rosé died in 1944, probably of botulism, despite apparently sincere attempts on the part of camp doctors to save her.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for botulism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'botulism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near botulism
Cite this Entry
“Botulism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/botulism. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: poisoning caused by eating food containing a toxin made by a spore-forming bacterium
Medical Definition
botulism
noun
bot·u·lism
ˈbäch-ə-ˌliz-əm
: acute food poisoning caused by botulinum toxin produced in food by a bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. botulinum) and characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis, disturbances of vision, swallowing, and speech, and a high mortality rate see botulinum toxin, limberneck
More from Merriam-Webster on botulism
Nglish: Translation of botulism for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about botulism
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