listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria li-ˈstir-ē-ə 

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

On that list: A deadly listeria outbreak among Boar's Head deli meat and an investigation into cucumbers contaminated with salmonella. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024

Multiple companies have recalled millions of pounds of food in recent months due to a connection with a nationwide listeria outbreak. —Craig Dunaway, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Suggested Reading More than 72,000 pounds of meat products are being recalled in a deadly, multi-state listeria outbreak Earth's rotation is tilting and its humans' fault Workers at one of America's biggest airports are on strike just before Thanksgiving Apple is giving Siri a makeover. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024

Doctor offers safety tips While listeria exposure can cause a variety of symptoms, from high fever to nausea and vomiting, Fox News senior medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel emphasized the dangers of E. coli infection. —Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Listeria, from Joseph Lister

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

listeria

noun

lis·​te·​ria lis-ˈtir-ē-ə 

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

lis-ˈtir-ē-əl 

adjective

listeric

-ik 

adjective