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

Doctors typically recommend babies under 1 avoid honey due to the minor risk that the infant could get botulism caused by bacteria sometimes found in honey products. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Potatoes wrapped in foil don't have much oxygen, creating an ideal environment for botulism. —Lauren David, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2024

This can lead to foodborne botulism, a rare but serious condition caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. —Lindsey Desoto, Rd, Health, 29 Oct. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

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