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

The report, released Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), reviewed the listeria outbreak linked to the deli meat supplier's facility in Jarratt, Va. —Clare Marie Schneider, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025

Bags of broccoli florets sold at Walmart stores in twenty states, of which at least five are in the South, are being recalled for possible listeria contamination. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2025

Chicken Enchiladas are being recalled nationwide over listeria concerns. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

In September, Answers Pet Food recalled a line of its beef and chicken products for dogs due to possible listeria and salmonella contaminations, according to the FDA. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 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