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

Foods processed to prevent spoilage but not usually refrigerated are the most common vehicles of botulism. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Dressing from Trader Joe's was impacted due to undeclared allergens, while a juice was recalled due to contamination from botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 4 Apr. 2025

Tuna recall at Walmart, Publix, Costco, Trader Joe’s, others on botulism concerns This ticket will have to be redeemed at a Florida Lottery district office or the Tallahassee main office, open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025

Walker's Wine Juice LLC is recalling their pumpkin juice due to the potential presence of botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for botulism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

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